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HISTORICAL AND DESCRIPTIVE 


ACCOUNT OF THE 


FIELD COLUMBIAN MUSEUM 


Cuicaco; U.S» A. 
December, 1894. 


INDEX TO CONTENTS. 


pn PROFOUOP. WO RUSESES focleie cic eo do-< 0 ofa a eiecete 
Staff of the Museum.. 

Introductory.. 

Proceedings of Opening Day.. 


History of Collections Presented to the Museum thr ough Exposi- 


tion Departments. 
The Latin-American oe 
Agriculture and Forestry.. ue 
Mines, Mining and Metallurgy . 
Ethnology and Archeology . 
Transportation Exhibits.... 
Description of Museum Departments. 

Exposition Memorial... 
Columbus Memorial. 
Geology .. 
Botany and Plant Economics.. 
Zoology .. aster ders 
Ornithology... seagate 
Anthropology ....... 
Industrial Arts.. 

‘Textiles. a 

Gems and Jew els. 

Ceramics.. 

Transportation. 2 

Phe wRailway 2.7.0.3 


TESTE Saag re 2 a eS 


PLANS AND ILLUSTRATIONS. 


south’ Facade of Museum .... cue Maas 
Ground Floor Plan . Serie 

~ The Columbian Rotunda. 

Mining and Metallurgical Collections. . 
Pennsylvania Railroad Collection. . 
Plan of Rotunda . 

Plan—Department of ‘Geology... 
Plan—Department of Botany. 
Plan—Department of Zoology .. 
Plan—Department of Anthropology... 
Ayer Hall. 

Pian—Department of Industrial Arts. . 


-pULesaol a cime ree ahs hes OC sence em gyre ier cree et eae a vee: ae 
Plan—Divisions of Transportation and the Railway....... 


Map showing location of Museum .... 


.. Frontispiece 


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THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES. 


— 
GrorcE E. ADAMs. Huntincton W. JAcKSON. 
OweEN F. ALDIs. ARTHUR B. JONEs. 
Epwarp E. AYER. GEORGE MANIERRE. 
Watson F. Brair. Cyrus H. McCormick. 
WiiiiaM J. CHALMERS. Norman B. REAM. 
GeorceE R. Davis. Martin A. RYERSON. 
Harow N, HIGINBOTHAM. Epwin WALKER. 


NorMAN WILLIAMS. 


OFFICERS. 


Epwarp E. Aver, President. 
Martin A. Ryerson, /urst Vice-President. 
Norman B. Ream, Second Vice-President. 
GEORGE MANIERRE, Secretary. 
Byron L. Smiru, Zreasurer. 


EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 


Haritow N. HIGINBOTHAM. 
Epwarp E. AYER. NorMAN B. REAM. 
Owen F. ALDIs. Martin A. RYERSON. 


FINANCE COMMITTEE. 


NorMAN WILLIAMS. 
Watson F. Brarr. Huntincton W. JACKSON. 


COMMITTEE ON BUILDING. 


Grorce E. ADAMS. 
WitiiamM J. CHALMERS. Cyrus H. McCormick. 


AUDITING COMMITTEE. , 


GEORGE MANIERRE. ARTHUR B, JONEs. 


STAFF OF THE MUSEUM. 


DIRECTOR. 
FREDERICK J. V. SKIFF. 


DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY. 
W. H. Houmes, Curator. 


DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY. 
O. C. FarRINGTON, Curator, 
H. W. Nicuots, Curator of Economic Geology. 


DEPARTMENT OF BOTANY. 
C. F. Mititspaucnu, Curator. 


DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, EXCEPT ORNITHOLOGY, 
D. G. ELuLiot, Curator. O.P, Hay, 43% Curaiar 


DEPARTMENT OF ORNITHOLOGY, 
C. B. Cory, Curator. G. K. CHerrik, Asst. Curator, 


DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ARTS. 
THE DIRECTOR IN CHARGE. 


DIVISION OF TRANSPORTATION. DIVISION OF THE RAILWAY, 
WiLiarp A. Smitu, Hon. Curator. J. G. PancBorn, Hon. Curator. 


DEPARTMENT OF COLUMBUS MEMORIAL. 
THE RECORDER IN CHARGE, WixiiiaM E, Curtis, Hon. Curator. 


THE LIBRARY. 
E. L. Burcuarn, Recorder and Librarian. 


INTRODUCTORY, 


The series of publications of which this number is initiatory, has 
been projected as a means of presenting to the world the results of 
the research and investigation conducted under the auspices of the 
Field Columbian Museum. The contributions will cover every field 
of knowledge comprehended within the scope of the Museum’s work. 

The information offered in these publications will represent 
studies primarily of the collections in the Museum, but not necessar- 
ily limited to these. Contributions from workers in kindred fields 
iave the opportunity offered by these pages to bring into general cir- 
culation any body of facts of scientific or technical value. It is hoped 
therefore that the Museum publications will be a ready means of 
acquainting the general public or special classes with the results 
obtained by a competent body of scientists and experts, in their sev- 
eral lines of investigation. 

The Museum is itself, in the widest sense, an educational insti- 
tution and it is with this idea that the series of publications has been 
projected. They are offered for gratuitous distribution and the 
broadest possible circulation and the freest use is requested for the 
information, theories or suggestions they contain. 

In order that a careful record of the early history of the move- 
ment that resulted in the establishment of the, Museum may be 
preserved to the future, it has been deemed fitting to devote the first 
number to an account of its brief history and dedication. The exer- 
cises of the opening day are therefore presented in detail, inasmuch 
as the addresses upon that occasion summed up the facts of interest 
and of historical significance in connection with the growth of the 
plan for amuseum to commemorate the World’s Columbian Expo- 
sition, and to create an additional factor in the world’s educational 
equipment. 


~~ 


Advantage is also taken of this opportunity to perpetuate in 
type the services so ably and unselfishly performed by the officers of 
the Exposition prior to and after the close of the Exposition in awak- 
ening an interest among the exhibitors and securing to the Museum 
what they could obtain from the contributions given them. ‘Their 
devotion to the cause of culture and education and their patriotic 
interest have preserved in the Museum the wonderful collections of 
the Exposition that so easily might have been divided, dissipated or 
lost altogether. 

The historical accounts of the collections presented to the Museum 
through the several Exposition Departments that fill some thirty 
pages of this number will, therefore, serve in some measure as an 
acknowledgment to those workers whose names in this connection 
might otherwise remain unknown. The names of contributors have 
already been made public in the pages of the Guide issued on the 
Opening Day. 

In order to furnish contemporary institutions and the world at 
large a more exact idea of the Museum and its contents, the officers 
and staff have prepared a series of articles descriptive of the several 
departments, and several exterior and interior views have been 
inserted. The descriptions are much condensed, and necessarily 
incomplete, but they give in general a faithful and comprehensive 
review of the collections and of their arrangement. 

Although but seven months have elapsed since the doors of the 
Museum were publicly thrown open, a course of popular lectures - 
have been inaugurated, a publication series established, and several 
scientific expeditions sent into the field for augmenting its collec- 
tions. In these and other directions, the Field Columbian Museum 
is advancing along the path marked out for it and performing its 
part in adding to the wealth of western civilization and culture. 


~ PROCEEDINGS OF OPENING DAY. 


June 2, 1894, was the day appointed for the dedication of the 
Museum. At this time, and even previous to it, the extensive col- 
lections which had been donated by Exposition exhibitors, or secured 
by purchase, had been formed into a scientific and systematic 
arrangement, and their installation in the halls of the Art Gallery 
had been made sufficiently complete in detail. The organization was 
perfected and everything in readiness for a commencement of the 
preliminary work for which the Museum had been established. 

The exercises were set for half past two o’clock in the afternoon, but 
before that time had arrived the trustees of the Museum and prom- 
inent invited guests, gathered in the Executive Committee room to 
meet Mr. Marshall Field and the officers of the Corporation. 

At the hour stated, a line was formed of those who were invited 
to sit upon the platform, and led by President Ayer of the Board of 
Trustees, proceeded across the building to the north steps, where a- 
platform had been erected. At this time the seats below the plat- 
form were occupied, as well as much of the outlying space. Probably 
from eight to ten thousand persons were in attendance. 

The assemblage was called to order by President Ayer, and divine 
blessing was asked by Rev. Frank W. Gunsaulus. 

President Ayer extended cordial welcome to those present con- 
gratulating them on being permitted to assemble to dedicate the 
Field Columbian Museum. 

Mr. F. J. V. Skiff, the Director then delivered the following 
address: 

Mr. PRESIDENT AND LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: 

There has been gathering head in this western land of ours during the more recent 
period of its history a mighty power for civilization. Neither ancient, medizval nor 
modern times present a wider intellectual horizon, a period so alive to the demands of 
progressive humanity. The annals of centuries do not contain such evidences of a 


quickened higher culture and uplifting of educational forces as have been evoked 
within the past few years on the shores of the lake that sweeps this park. 


9 


The Exposition left its uneffaceable impress on the social, moral and intellectual 
development of the world. Another effort is inaugurated to carry forward this pur- 
pose, to meet the growing needs of a highly developed people, to gather up the truths 
of the sciences and the triumphs of the industries and preserve them as a perpetual 
benefit to mankind. As Columbus devoted his life to the exploration and extension of 
the world, so does this ceremony vitalize an analogous idea, a broader knowledge and 
more penetrating vision. 

We are gathered here to-day to invest with the mantle of dignity and responsibilty 
the Field Columbian Museum. The invitation is strong to look forward into the 
prospect that opens before this institution, or to describe in fitting terms the success 
already attained. But it is also an appropriate and pleasant duty to pass in hasty 
review the events which have filled with valuable treasures the halls and galleries of 
this magnificent relic of the exposition. 

The illusion should be dispelled that the idea of ‘‘a museum" was suddenly born 
or quickly realized. Asamatter of fact, the project was seriously considered in 1890, 
and at different times and by different persons, in public and in private, the subject 
has been discussed with more or less definiteness of purpose. If I have been careful 
in looking backward, the first publication in its behalf was a communication from Pro- 
fessor Putnam of Cambridge, Mass., printed in the Chicago 77zbume in May, 1890. 
On two occasions in the same year the professor spoke in favor of a museum, and in 
November, 1891, upon invitation of Hon. William T. Baker, addressed the Commer- 
cial Club on the same subject. 

In April, 1891, Director Goode, of the National Museum, visited Chicago in con- 
nection with some government function related to the Exposition, and in conversation 
with Mr. J. W. Ellsworth recommended the immediate appointment of a committee to 
foster a museum organization. Mr. Ellsworth, from the date of the interview with 
Professor Goode, became an active advocate of a museum as the outgrowth of the 
exposition. He at that time was a member of the foreign affairs committee of the 
exposition directory. President Baker was the chairman of the committee, and Mr. 
Ryerson. Mr. Lefens, Mr. Higinbotham and others enlisted in behalf of this early 
work of promotion. And from almost the formation of the Exposition, in. asking 
appropriations from the directory and in outlining foreign work, this committee kept 
in view the museum that was to be established 

This was especially indicated by purchases made abroad and in the equipment of 
both the anthropological and the transportation departments. As an outgrowth of the 
policy of this committee of the directory, and at the suggestion of William E. Curtis 
to Mr. Baker and Mr. Higinbotham of the directory, the Columbian Historical Asso- 
ciation was incorporated in Washington early in 1892. This was at a time when the 
Latin-American department of the Exposition commenced to receive articles collected 
by its commissioners in South and Central America, and much difficulty was exper- 
ienced with the treasury department. 

The government had no right to import articles free of duty, and they conld not 
be entered under the general exemption law that* was passed for the benefit of the 
exposition without being sent from the port of entry to Chicago, in bond. That was 
a great inconvenience because no means had been provided at that time for the receipt 
and storage of exhibits at Chicago, and the Columbian Historical Association was 
organized to take advantage of the law authorizing the free admission of goods 
intended for scientific societies. Of this association Professor Putnam was elected 
president; Professor Wilson, of the Smithsonian Institution, vice-president, and Wil- 
liam E. Curtis, chief of the Latin-American department, secretary and treasurer. 
Individual members of the directory of the Exposition contributed quite a sum of 
money personally to provide the organization with funds, and the money thus raised 


10 


was unquestionably the first expenditure made in the interests of the museum. The 
general expenses of the Columbian Historical Association were paid from the govern- 
ment appropriation for the Department of State. 

Almost in conjunction with the formation of this important auxiliary, Representa- 
tive McMurdy, of the Hyde Park representative election district, introduced a bill in 
the Illinois state legislature providing for the establishment of museums in public 
parks and stipulating under what conditions and in what manner they might be con- 
ducted. The measure was a popular one and became a law early in June following. 
Later in the year, through the instrumentality of S. C. Eastman, Mr. McMurdy and 
F. A. Riddle, the question wassubmitted to the people in the three park districts and 
the vote was almost unanimously in the affirmative. 

The active agitation of the museum idea in the press sprang from a letter pub- 
lished by S. C. Eastman in the 7ridune in July, 1898, followed almost immediately 
by a series of strong editorials in the Hera/¢d. In fact all of the Chicago press were 
zealous friends of the museum, and aided the quickening of public interest in every 
way. Asa_result of this public discussion, and of numerous private consultations. 
J. W. Scott introduced a resolution at a meeting of the directors of the Exposition, 
providing for the appointment of a committee of three to form an organization of the 
citizens looking to the crystalization of the sentiment of the community. The com- 
mittee consisted of George R. Davis, H. N. Higinbotham and J. W. Scott. This was 
on August 11, 1893. Three days afterward a circular wasissued by this committee 
calling a meeting of citizens who might be interested, at the Administration Building. 
“‘to adopt measures in immediate aid of the project to establish in Chicago a great 
museum that shall be a fitting memorial of the World’s Columbian Exposition and a 
permanent advantage and honor to the city.” 

Accordingly, on the evening of August 17, a public meeting attended by about 
one hundred of the prominent citizens of Chicago was held in the office of the direc- 
tor general in the Administration building on the exposition grounds. Director Gen- 
eral Davis presided and Mr. S. C. Eastman acted as secretary. The first proposition 
was to enlarge the scope of the Columbian Historical Society. This was opposed on 
the ground that it was incorporated in Washington. The second suggestion was to 
operate under the charter of the Academy of Sciences in this city but this plan was 
opposed, especially by President Higinbotham, whospoke very earnestly in favor of a 
new and strong organization, independent of educational institutions, locality, creed 
or calling, strong enough to stand alone, and large enough to take in everything. 
This suited the temper of the meeting and prevailed, and the following committee 
was appointed to; take the necessary steps to incorporate a museum: G. E. Adams, 
E.C. Hirsch, J. A. Roche. C. H. Harrison, S. C. Eastman, E. C. Bartlett, A.C. Mc- 
Clurg, R. McMurdy and C. Fitzsimmons. Mr. McClurg afterward withdrew and E. 
E. Ayer was appointed in his place. The same evening the director-general and the 
chiefs of the departments were requested to organize for the solicitation of coniribu- 
tions of exhibits. 

Up to this time the museum had many names. The Museum of Antiquities 
Columbus Memorial Museum, World's Exposition Memorial Museum, Columbus 
Museum of America, Chicago Columbian Museum, etc. August 2Ist the citizens’ 
committee, above referred to, in preparing their application for articles of incorpora- 
tion, adopted as a name ‘‘The Columbian Museum of Chicago.” At this same 
meeting names were selected for incorporators, of which there were about sixty-five, 
and fifteen trustees, of which the following is a list: 

C. B. Farwell, J. C Black, F. W. Gunsaulus, Geo. E. Adams, M. C. Bullock, 
E. G. Hirsch, E. E. Ayer, D. H. Burnham, C. L. Hutchinson, O. F. Aldis, © 
G. R. Davis, . John A. Roche, A. V. Armour, J. W. Ellsworth, Edwin Walker. 


11 


Application for a charter was forwarded to Springfield Sept. 16. 

R: McMurdy of this committee prepared and sent to the Illinois delegates in 
Congress a joint resolution instructing the Treasury Department to admit all goods in- 
tended for museums or educational institutions free of duty. This resolution was 
promptly passed the following week. 


Sept. 4, the director-general and chief of departments of the Exposition met 
to outline their work on the grounds, and appointed an executive committee to prose- 
cute securing exhibits for the museum. Of this committee Director-General Davis 
was chairman, Professor F. W. Putnam vice-chairman, S. C. Eastman secretary, and 
F, J. V. Skiff, William E. Curtis and S. H. Peabody, the other members. At a subse- 
quent meeting Mr. Curtis withdrew and Willard A. Smith was appointed in his place. 
This executive committee took up the work of actively canvassing for donations of 
exhibits to the museum. 


In fact the zeal of the chiefs in this behalf was so great as to seriously interfere 
with their duties as exposition officials. However, the sentiment was so unanimous, 
and the interest in the museum project was so intense, that encouragement was not 
lacking from any source to do anything that was necessary to aid the cause. Letters 
were written in every direction, circulars were dispatched everywhere, portions of 
the grcunds and sections of the buildings were made into districts, and personal ap- 
peals made by the officers and attaches of every department of the Exposition. Meet- 
ings of the executive committee were held frequently,and members of the committee 
were in constant communication with the new trustees of the museum corporation. 


The corporation in the meantime had effected a temporary organization by the 
election of Edwin Walker as chairman, S. C. Eastman as secretary, and the appoint- 
ment of the following committees: Finance---E. E. Ayer, George E. Adams, J. W. 
Ellsworth and J. C. Black; by-laws---George E. Adams, F. W. Gunsaulus andC L, 
Hutchinson; exhibits---E. E. Ayer, George E. Adams and J. W. Ellsworth. 


The finance committee began at once the important and delicate task of securing 
the funds necessary to endow the museum, or to at least in some measure guarantee 
that sufficient funds would eventually be forthcoming to justify the contributions 
of exhibits, etc., that were being solicited. As the middle of October approached, 
however, and nothing tangible in the shape of endowment had resulted from the 
efforts of the finance committee, a period of discouragement came upon many of 
those at work for the museum. Up to this time the funds used had been ad- 
vanced by individual members of the committee. Nothing but the faith and devo- 
tion and courage of a few men prevented the disintegration of the preliminary 
organization and the practical abandonment of the museum enterprise, but when, 
on October 26, the splendid gift of Mr. Field was announced the different com- 
mittees and individuals were inspired to such efforts that the loss of the lagging 
days was overcome and the progress of the work from that time on was resistlessly 
effective. 


Confidence in the assured prominence and success of the museum was renewed, 
and a spirit among exhibitors, especially foreign and state commissions and Amer- 
ican corporations and individual exhibitors was aroused, and their contributions 
were increased in proportion to the liberality of the endowment. How generous 
their contributions have been every evidence is presented by the museum to-day. 
The many valuable departmental collections that had been in danger of ruinous 
distribution at once became the unquestioned property of the museum, and by 
common agreement the different educational institutions discontinued their efforts 
to secure contributions in their own behalf and united in working for the museum. 

Two days after the announcement of Mr. Field’s munificent benefaction 


12 


George M. Pullman subscribed $100,000, followed in a few days by Harlow N. 
Higinbotham with another $100,000. Other conditional donations for various 
amounts were made, 

November Ist a circular was issued to the stockholders of the Exposition and 
signed by Edward E. Ayer, George E. Adams, J. W. Ellsworth and John C. 
Black as a finance committee, soliciting donations of the stock in the exposition to 
the museum. 

I may note in passing that the Avening Post of Sept. 14th contained a commu- 
nication from A. W. Manning suggesting the donation of exposition stock to the 
museum on the theory that there would be a dividend, which in this way would 
add a considerable sum to the museum resources, and may also state, if I am cor- 
rectly informed, the first stockholder to donate his stock in the exposition to the 
museum was L. C. Stebbins, fifty shares. The present total exposition stock dona- 
tions approximate $1,500,000 par value from over 1,100 stockholders. 

The day after the issuance of this circular Mrs. Mary D. Sturgis, of Lake 
Geneva, made a donation of $50,000. 

During the month of November the museum corporation appointed Ralph 
Metcalf as its representative on the exposition grounds, and this gentleman opened 
offices in the then partly deserted Administration Building and co-operated actively 
with the executive committee of chiefs. 

The museum committee on exhibits, consisting of Messrs. Adams, Ayer and 
Ellsworth, made quite extensive purchases during November, including the collec- 
tions from Paraguay, Peru, Java, Samoa and the Hagenbeck collection. The first 
large purchase of material was made at this time---the Ward collection of natural 
history—for which $95,000 was paid. The first great donation of material was at 
that time made to the museum, the Ayer anthropological collection being presented 
by the now president of the museum. The collection is valued at $100,000. 

November 18th it was formally determined to mass the donations of exhibits in 
Fine Arts Hall. And with this end in view all of the committees interested in 
articles, collections or exhibits, either donated or purchased, concentrated their 
efforts in preparing for a general removal. On the 7th of December a number of 
gentlemen, including E. E. Ayer, J. W. Ellsworth, Professor T. C. Chamberlain, of 
the Chicago University, Professor Putnam and Mr. Skiff met in Fine Arts Hall 
and determined in a rough way the preliminary installation plan of the museum. 
On that day the present director accepted temporary charge of affairs, and about 
4 o'clock on the afternoon of that day the first load of material for the museum 
was placed under the roof of this building 

From this very general resume of what transpired up to the beginning of the 
real work of the installation it will be seen that while no great public acts nor 
unified labor were apparent, many men each in his own field, largely by his own 
volition, were sincerely enlisted; that there was a generous and energetic co-opera- 
tion in gathering material, making purchases and in securing funds. Further that the 
growth of the museum was contemporaneous with the progress of the Exposition. 

And now began the tremenduous task of gathering the vast amount of material 
from every part and corner, and stretch and recess of these vast grounds; from all 
of the buildings, large and small; from the Midway Plaisance and from Wooded 
Island; from the Forestry Building to the Fisheries Building. Hundreds and 
hundreds of tons of exhibits, collections and objects of every describable character 
were transported to this building at which we are assembled. Then the selection, 
alteration, arrangement and rearrangement and elaboration began. Gradually hall 
by hall was emptied and as the objects of art left the building, a mass of mate- 
rial poured in, heterogeneous and appalling in extent. And the beautiful products of 


13 


the artist's brush and the sculptor’s chisel—ours for only a summer—were sup- 
planted by what we see in these halls to-day, a sequential and systematic exposi- 
tion of the wonderful and instructive things of the world we live in, began to grow. 
Through the same door streamed boxes and bales from the Transportation, Mining, 
Forestry, Electricity, Manufactures and Liberal Arts, and state buildings, from 
government buildings and from the Plaisance; objects from the remotest lands and 
the most diversified climes! 

A temporary allotment of space permitted rough classification. A winter's 
work was consumed in dividing, determining and listing the material that had been 
received. By March the assortment and selection of the material had advanced to. 
such a state as to allow positive installation. A hall here and a hall there began 
to take on the semblance of a museum. Finished cases and cabinets displayed in 
orderly array and attractive manner the valuable material, and brought out its excel- 
lences by systematic arrangement, 

The many collections and exhibits that had been so carefully and judiciously pur- 
chased at the close of the exposition by the trustees and department chiefs furnished 
the broad foundation upon which could be built correct series of collections Great 
gaps in the continuity of separate subjects were thus in a large degree obviated, until 
to-day from one end of the museum to the other can be traced, almost without a break, 
the living and instructive story of nature and of manand his works. Let us not, how- 
ever, underrate the labor still necessary to place this institution on proper compara- 
tive footing with other great museums. These collections around us, although large 
and carefully arranged with reference to some central idea or scientific principle, 
indicate that only one step in the process of completion has been taken. They pre- 
sent, to be sure, many features that may be found nowhere else in the world, but 
that they require addition, rearrangement and re-establishment from the scientific or 
technical standpoint, goes without saying. 

In the meantime, on January 22, 1894, the board of trustees was reorganized with 
the following new membership: 


H. N. Higinbotham, E. E. Ayer, N. B. Ream, 
Norman Williams, Geo. E. Adams, Edwin Walker. 
Owen F. Aldis, M. A. Ryerson, H. W. Jackson, 
C..H. McCormick, Watson Blair, Geo. Manierre, 
W. Jj. Chalmers, Geo. R. Davis, A. B. Jones. 


E. E. Ayer was elected president, Martin A. Ryerson, vice-president; Norman B. 
Ream, second vice-president; Ralph Metcalf, secretary (afterward resigned and 
succeeded by Geo. Manierre), and Byron L. Smith, treasurer. H. N. Higinbotham 
was elected chairman of the executive committee 

At this meeting the incumbent was made director-in-chief. 


I must take this opportunity to publicly acknowledge the faithful, intelligent, 
helpful service performed by my associates in the work of building up this museum 
to its present stage of comparative completeness and working efficiency. They have 
labored with the inspiration of the true lover of art and science, undismayed by 
countless difficulties, working almost without seeing the end, and with an enthusiasm 
that the deepest and most unselfish interest alone could inspire. As in the building 
up of the Exposition and so many great human enterprises, here, too, must be 
recorded the prominence of the young man, the composite age of the museum staff 
being thirty-three years. 


The generous and helpful advice and assistance extended by the faculty of the 
educational and scientific institutions of this city are gratefully acknowledged by the 
museum, No discordant note on their part has been heard, They have appreciated 


14 


/ 


the importance to Chicago and to educational interests at large of the museum institu- 
tion and have shown by their sympathy, as well as by their active co-operation, 
their desire that it shall be an unbounded success. 

We have builded in a few short months a great structure on the broad highway 
of progress. Science and industry have entered its portals hand in hand. Knowl- 
edge, that moral force which both commands and obeys, awaits within, In this 
temple may be swung the incense of reminiscent love and veneration as sentiment 
and popular enthusiasm unite the name of this great institution in indissoluble 
bonds with the glory and culture of the year past, May the influence be forever felt. 

The museum was practically installed on May 1. On May 21] the trustees by 
a unanimous vote, decided to name this institution the ‘‘ Field Columbian Museum.” 

Ihave the honor. Mr. President, to hand you a report of the expenditures from 
the first disbursement until the present time; a report showing the value of the 
collections contained in the building and a report of the inventory of the furniture 
and fixtures. I have the further honor and the very great pleasure of presenting 
you with the first copy of a complete guide to the museum. 

Mr. Edward G. Mason, President of the Chicago Historical 
Society, then delivered the following oration on The Message of the 


Museum to Chicago and the World: 

Mr. PRESIDENT, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN:—We are assembled to commemorate 
the public opening of the Field Columbian Museum, an event of deep significance 
to our city and to our time. The superb collection which bears this name has 
found an appropriate home in one of the noble buildings of the World’s Columbian 
Exposition. And gathered as we are at the portals of that building, we cannot fail 
to remember the scenes of which it was a part less than a year ago. Here flowed 
that living tide of rejoicing humanity which was perhaps the most marvelous exhibit 
of all these grounds contained. In this structure and those related to it were dis- 
played the progress, the skill and the genius of our race. And enshrining this and 
all the rest, and greater than all else, glorious as the seer’s vision of the New Jeru- 
salem, was the world’s fair city itself, ‘‘robed in white, mystic, wonderful.” Its 
memories naturally throng about this place, but to-day there is a special reason for 
their recall. Of that grand Exposition, which is in all our minds just now, this 
museum is both the outcome and the monument. 

Tt is the outcome, for it became part of the plan of the men who made that Expo- 
sition. The proper commemoration of that great undertaking was in their minds 
almost from the beginning, and there is something very fine in the feeling which 
this reveals. Undaunted by the tremendous task of preparation and serenely confi- 
dent of the result while the Fair was still in embryo, they assumed its complete 
success many months before its gates were opened, and said the one to the other: 
What shall its fitting memorial be? This was heroic. Of this noble purpose the 
Field Columbian Museum is the fruition. In its inception, therefore, it illustrates 
the spirit which carried the Exposition to its triumphant goal, and of that spirit it 
was born. It is the monument of the Exposition, holding many of its best exhibits, 
housed in the most beautiful of all its beautiful edifices and perpetuating its central 
idea. It is the lasting flower of that glorious summer to which we look back as to 


an enchanted dream. 
These are the abiding associations with which it auspiciously commences its 


career. Although so young it already has asplendid past. How worthy of its origin 
it is, the opening of these doors will make known. Other great museums have slowly 
grown cut of national expositions. This in an instant takes its place by their side. 
The stately halls which but the other day contained simply the productions of the 
chisel, the brush and the pencil are now filled with the long array of ordered series 


15 


which tell the story of ‘‘the great globe itself, yea,’’ of ‘‘all which it inherit.” By 
such a collection even the most careless observer must profit to some degree. Infi- 
nitely more is its meaning to those who read its object lessons aright. These bring 
to light the processes which have formed the world in which we dwell, the materials 
of which it is composed, the treasures of the rocks, the ancient and the modern life 
of earth and air and sea. These disclose the beginnings of our race in that antiquity 
too remote to conceive of, and its incredibly slow and toilsome movement through 
savage zons to the dawn of a better day. And thence onward they unfold to us the 
highest meaning of this museum, which is the development of the mind of man. The 
annals of humanity begin with the birth of the inventive faculty. It is only when 
man makes something that history takesnoteof him. Theages before are as nothing. 
To the thoughtful student pouring over these shevles, the ill-shaped tools of the 
early people, the first rude drawings on rock or bone, are of unique import. In 
them lay the potentiality of allthe rest. From them dates that majestic succession 
of triumphs over the forces of nature, that magnificent progress in science, in art, 
and in ail knowledge, ever changing the surprise of yesterday into the commonplace 
of to-day, which this museum is designed to teach and to illustrate. Its opening 
rounds an epoch. It is the high water mark of the advance of mankind. 

But it denotes as well the continuance of this advance. That this forward move- 
ment cannot cease, our knowledge of the past, our hope for the future, unite to assure 
us. Each great exposition has been the commencement of a newera. Each one’s 
record of achievement has been in turn surpassed by that of its successor. The law 
producing these results is in operation to-day, nor would we have it otherwise. And 
in that greater progress which we believe to be before us we feel that this museum 
must be a factor. Here men will come to learn what man has accomplished, and to 
prepare to take the next step beyond. In this armory of science will be found the 
weapons for new conquests over the material world. From this storehouse of the arts 
will be drawn the suggestions and the devices for real improvement in the surround- 
ings of our daily life. And what ascope for the imagination and its works will it 
afford! How its revelations will awaken every instinct to accomplish something bet- 
ter, something higher than what has gone before! How it will arouse the mind to new 
flights into the regions of the unknown to bring back treasure trove! As an inspiration, 
therefore, in its own sphere; the value of this museum is priceless. It means much 
at the present. It means more for the future. It is not simply a collection of wood 
and metal, clay and stone. It is a potent entityinstinct with life and growth, to which 
all things are possible. 


Some great discovery associated with it may hereafter make our most sanguine 
forecast of to-day seem poor and mean beside the reality. That its collections must 
increase is the law of its being. Toit arecoming, and will continue to come, things 
rich and rare from the four quarters of the globe. No limit can be set to its expan- 
sion along the lines already so wisely laid down, nor to the results which may flow 
from it. Thisis the century of wonders, and its closing years are like to be the cli- 
max of all which have preceded them. Men of science tell us that the problem of 
zerial navigation is on the eve of solution, mainly through atmospheric observations 
and the study of the motion and structure of birds, carried on in part in collections 
like this. Itis said that the mighty power of electricity has not even shaken off its 
swaddling clothes, and is yet to tower before us like genie of the Arabian tale from 
the unsealed vase. If these things be true, and if other revelations of which we do 
not even dream are to re-make the world in these or some of these, it may well be that 
this institution will have an honored part, 

As an example to be followed it must also have an enduring influence. Thespec- 
tacle of a great work unselfishly performed incites to like undertakings. The kaowl- 


16 


edge of what men have done for the community in which they live impels others to 
do as well in other directions. That civic pride, that belief in its future which char- 
acterizes Chicago and should be treasured among its most precious possessions, are 
represented and will be inculcated by this notable instance of both. Not only in our 
time but in the long hereafter will men tell the story of the origin and the purpose 
of this institution with that quickening of the soul which is fruitful of great results. 
While it shall endure it will be the well-spring of other noble enterprises for the ben- 
efit of mankind. The poet says; 

Our slender life runs rippling by, and glides 

Into the silent hollow of the past; 


What is there that abides 
To make the next age better for the last? 


And he tells us in reply to his question that there is— 


Something that leaps life’s narrow bars 

To claim its birthright with the hosts of Heaven: 
A seed of sunshine that doth leaven 

Our earthly dullness with the beams of stars. 


Such a seed of sunshine has been planted here and has already risen and grown 
into that which shall abide to make better the days which are to come. 

With such associations, andcharacteristics, and possibilities the Field Columbian 
Museum is opened to the people. They are its beneficiaries. For them and their 
children and their children’s children it is to fulfill its destiny. The first museum. 
from which the name has been handed down through the centuries, established by 
the old Egyptian king in the once proud city of Alexandria, was set apart for the use of 
one privileged class alone. But this museum knows no distinction of class or condi- 
tion of men. It holds for all its wealth of opportunities for instruction and for 
research, and its treasures are to be had for the asking. No man can measure the 
amount of pure and elevated pleasure, of real and lasting benefit which will be derived 
from it by the multitudes who will throng its halls from this time henceforth. Nor 
can we lightly estimate the continuing tribute of thankfulness which they will gladly 
pay to its benefactors, and especially to those whom we honor as its founders. To 
them it is not easy to rendera fitting meed of praise. But they already have a 
reward in that consciousness of a grand deed grandly done of which nothing can 
deprive them. This great creation is due to a munificence far more than princely, 
A prince can only give his people’s money. These donors have given of their very 
own freely, lavishly, for the good of their city and of their race. s\s we enter into 
their labors there enter with us the rejoicing shades of the philanthropists of all time 
to welcome this latest exemplification of the spirit of those who love their fellowmen, 
and in their shining list will forevermore appear the names of the founders of the 
Field Columbian Museum. 


President Ayer then arose, and with a raised gavel said: ‘‘ I now 
declare the Field Columbian Museum open,” which concluded the 
ceremonies. 

The doors were opened and the invited guests spent the remainder 
of the afternoon among the collections, 


17 


*VGNOLOY NVIANAI0OZ AH, 


HISTORY OF THE COLLECTIONS PRESENTED TO THE MUSEUM 
THROUGH THE LATIN AMERICAN DEPARTMENT OF THE 
EXPOSITION.—WILLIAM E. CURTIS, IN cHaRGE. 


The origin of the collections in the Columbus Memorial Halls 
may be traced back to August 1890, when Mr. William E. Curtis, 
then director of the Bureau of American Republics, at Washington, 
appeared before the Committee of Plan and Scope of the World’s 
Columbian Exposition, and submitted his plan for an historical Colum- 
bus exhibit. Prof. Putnam at the same time laid before the committee 
his plan for the reproduction of an Aztec temple and a collection of 
articles to show the civilization of the aboriginal races that occupied 
the continent before Columbus came. 

The scheme of Mr. Curtis comprehended a series of object les- 
sons that should illustrate the history and development of America 
from the birth of Columbus to the present day. Both plans were 
heartily approved, and recommended for adoption, and after more or 
less difficulty and delay were carried into effect with such accuracy 
and success as all who visited the exposition may testify. 

In the spring of 1891 the President of the United States, at the 
request of the Director General of the Exposition, ordered the detail of 
a number of army and navy officers to assist Mr. Curtis in carrying 
out the scheme he had submitted to ‘the committee. Lieut. William 
McCarty Little, of the Navy, was sent to Spain tosuperintend the 
construction of the fleet of caravels, and to obtain the necessary plans 
and specifications for the reproduction of the Monastery that fur- 
nished Columbus an asylum when he had no other home, and is more 
closely connected with his career than any other building. Lieut. 
Asher C. Baker, of the Navy, was sent to Mexico, Captain Gilbert P. 
Cotton, of the Army, to Honduras, and Capt. George P. Scriven, of 
the Army, to the other Central American States, Lieut. Henry R. 
Lemly, to Columbia, and Lieut. Roger Welles, Jr., of the Navy, to 
Venezuela and the Guiana Colonies, who made a memorable journey 
up the Orinoco Riyer to its sources in Colombia—farther than any 


19 


white man had ever been before—and brought back with him a 
splendid collection of curiosities that have their place in the ethno- 
logical section to-day. Capt. Alexander Rodgers, of the Army, and 
Lieut. F. E. Sawyer, of the Navy, weresent on a similar errand to 
Brazil, Surgeon D. B. Bertolette, of the Navy, to Uruguay, Paraguay 
and the Argentine Republic, Lieut. Charles H. Harlow of the Navy 
to Chili, Lieut W. E. Safford to Bolivia and Peru, and the collection 
of ethnological samples he brought home is unrivalled in many 
respects. Mr. Willard P. Tisdel, who was a general assistant to Mr. © 
Curtis, visited Equador on a similar mission. 

The most important historical work in the field was done by Mr. 
Frederick A. Ober, the well-known author and scientist, who spent 
two years following the trail of Columbus in American waters, and 
visiting all the placeson this side of the ocean that are associated with 
hisname. He explored Watlings Island, which those best qualified 
to know believe to be the first landfall of Columbus, and the island 
called Guanihani; then visited the other places that the discoverer men- 
tions in his journal, in turn, carrying photographic materials and mak- 
ing the curious collection of pictures that were exhibited in La Rabida 
and afterward transferred intact tothe Museum. At Navidad, where 
the Santa Maria was wrecked and a stockade built of her timbers; at 
Isabella, the site of the first civilized settlement in the new world; 
at Conception de la Vega, the second town; at Santiago de los Ca- 
balleros, the third; at Santo Cerro, where Columbus won his first 
victory over the indians and erected the first fort, and at other ruined 
cities of the Island of Santo Domingo, which were the scene of the 
first chapter of American history, Mr. Ober spent two years: of hard 
work, under the direction of Mr. Curtis, making a series of important 
discoveries and adding a great many important facts to the knowl- 
edge of the world. Since these cities fell during the earthquakes of 
the early years of the sixteenth century they had remained unnoticed 
and Mr. Ober was the first man to retrace and uncover them, 


Mr. Curtis himself went to Europe to carry an invitation to the 
Queen of Spain and the family of Columbus, to visit the Exposition 
as the guests of the United States, which had been authorized by a 
resolution of Congress, and to search the museums and archives of 
the old world for relics of the great discoverer. He also went to 
Rome as the bearer of a letter from the President of the United 
States to His Holiness, the Pope, asking the loan of such historical 
papers from the records of the church as threw light upon the 
alleged pre-Columbian voyages to the new world and its early set- 
tlement. 


20 


He also borrowed from the library of Queen Victoria, at Wind- 
sor Castle, the original of the first map that was ever made of the 
American continent, which curiously enough was drawn by Leon- 
ardo di Vinci, who painted ‘‘The Last Supper.” 

From Spain he brought the most interesting and precious 
collection of historical papers that exist, including the original com- 
mission granted to Columbus by King Ferdinand and Queen Isa- 
bella the original of the royal order to the inhabitants of Palos to 
furnish him vessels for his voyage, the royal decree granting amnesty 
to all inmates of prison who would consent to accompany the adven- 
turesome sailor, a number of autograph letters from Isabella to 
Columbus, including his instructions for the voyage, and twelve 
priceless manuscripts in the handwriting of Columbus himself ad- 
dressed to his wayward son, Diego. 

When these documents arrived in Washington, Mr. Curtis took 
them at once to two photograph galleries, where, under a military 
guard negatives were taken of each manuscript. First, as a precau- 
tion in case anything should happen to them, for they had never been 
photographed before; and, second, in order that the shadows if not 
the substance of these precious relics might remain in the United 
States. Those negatives have since been deposited in the Field 
Columbian Museum, and prints from them are now lying in the cases 
that the originals occupied at the Exposition. 

The Columbian Historical Association was organized at Wash- 
ington in the fall of 1891 for the purpose of facilitating the entry 
through the Custom Houses of articles shipped from South and Cen- 
tral America by the Commissioners of the Latin American Depart- 
ment ot the Exposition. The Government of the United States 
under the laws of Congress has no authority to import foreign articles 
for its own use, but there is a statute that permits all societies of a 
scientific nature todo so. Thus, the Columbian Historical Associa- 
tion, for the purpose of promoting the study of American history, 
brought in without the slightest difficulty all the collections that were 
shipped from abroad by the agents of the Exposition. The President 
was Prof. Putnam; the Vice President, Prof. Thomas Wilson of the 
Smithsonian Institute; the Secretary and Treasurer, Mr. William E, 
Curtis. All of the exhibits secured by Mr. Curtis and Prof. Putnam 
outside the limits of the United States were nominally the property 
of this association, but at the close of the Exposition were transferred 
by it to the Field Columbian Museum. 


Before the foreign commissioners who were sent out by the 
Latin American Department of the Exposition started on their mis- 


sions it became apparent that they would require funds for the pur- 
chase of articles that could not otherwise be procured, and Mr, Curtis 


21 


laid the matter before the Committee of Foreign Exhibits of the 
World’s Columbian Exposition which had supervision of his work. 
They decided that the appropriations placed at their disposal by the 
Board of Directors could not be used for that purpose, but at the 
same time individually subscribed toa fund that was sufficient and 
paid for many of the articles that were brought home by Mr. Ober 
and other commissioners. Thus to Mr. W. T. Baker, Mr. H.N. 
Higinbotham, Mr.Martin A. Ryerson and their generous associates 
the Museum is indebted for many valuable and interesting collections. 

The Congress of the United States appropriated fifty thousand 
dollars for a historical collection to be made by Mr. Curtis under the 
direction of the Government Board of Management and Controland 
a large part of the collection of Columbian relics was paid for from 
this fund. Those still belong to the Government, but there is pend- 
ing before Congress a bill, that has already passed the Senate, author- 
izing the Secretary of State to transfer the title to the Field Colum- 
bian Museum. 

The Caravels, which also belong to the Government, are in a 
similar situation. The Senate has passed a bill transferring them to 
the Museum and it is hoped that the House of Representatives will 
concur in the measure. 

To Frank M. Mason, United States Consul General at Frankfort, 
Germany, the Exposition and the Museum are indebted for the inter- 
esting collection that illustrates the manner in which the Continent of 


America was named. He spent much time at the old town of Saint 
Eie, Germany, investigating the subject, searching musty records, and 
the results of his work made clear for the first time the means by 
which a little geography, published in that quaint old town in 1507, 
deprived Columbus of the honor of having the new world called by 
his name. 


The late William Hayden Edwards, Consul General at Berlin, 
Henry Vigneaud, Secretary of Legation at Paris, James Fletcher, 
United States Consul at Genoa, Robert W. Turner, Consul at Cadiz, 
John F. Healey Consul at Funchal, and Colonel A. Loudon Snowden, 
United States Minister to Spain, allcontributed much to the success of 
the efforts of Mr. Curtis to secure a complete collection of the existing 
relics of Columbus and the results of their zeal are in the Museum 
to-day. 

These collections which were on exhibition at the La Rabida Con- 
vent during the Exposition were, at its close, transferred to the 
Museum and are now installed in Halls 8, and 9, as shown on 
the plan to be found onpage 74. The collection made under the 
Exposition management forma part of the extensive contributions 
which were by vote of the Exposition Board of Directors presented 
entire to the Museum for permanent preservation. 

A description of the arrangement of the material in the halls of 
the Museum is given under a succeeding caption. 


, ; 


22 


HISTORY OF THE COLLECTIONS PRESENTED TO THE MUSEUM 
THROUGH THE EXPOSITION DEPARTMENTS OF AGRI- 
CULTURE AND FORESTRY.—W. I. BUCHANAN, Cuter. 


From the first conception of the idea of equipping a great 
Museum in the City of Chicago from material that might be gained 
through the benevolence of home and foreign exhibitors and commis- 
sioners, Mr. W.I. Buchanan, Chief of the Department of Agriculture at 
the World’s Columbian Expnsition began to plan for the accomplish- 
ment of collections even before he accepted a place upon the solicit- 
ing committee composed of the heads of departments. Before the 
close of the Exposition he had already gained the interest of many of 
the Foreign Commissioners and secured their promises of complete 
or representative exhibits of their country. He personally conducted 
the work in the Agricultural Building, thus gaining by his promin- 
ence and courteous manners, far more than could have been procured 
by any one outside. At his solicitation the following munificent gifts 
were secured. 

Russia, through the Imperial Commission, presented her entire 
exhibit in the agricultural section, consisting of natural food-stuffs, 

fibers, tobaccos, etc. The labeling and transfer of the material 
was supervised by Count Rostovtsov of the Commission. 

Japan, through the Imperial Japanese Commission, carefully 
selected a complete line of specimens from her fibers, teas, rices, and 
grains. Mr. Komada of the Japanese Tea House also presented the 
Museum with samples of tea, and a living tea-plant. 

Mexico, through her Commissioners, selected a full line of speci- 
mens representative of their oils. grains, waxes, gums, fibers, etc., 
for donation. 

The Brazilian Commissioners gave from their exhibits a large 
quota as may be seen in the chapter devoted to the installation of the 
Botanical Department. 


23 


The Commissioner from British Guiana donated a carefully 
selected set of the specimens exhibited by his country, including the 
woods, many of which were of superior quality and great interest. 

The Corean representative donated agricultural products and 
the woods of the peninsula. Ceylon through her commissioners also 
donated specimens of her field and forest products, while Johore gave 
a full collection of woods, medicinal plants and rattans. 

The Spanish Commissioners donated a complete set of olive 
oils and fibers; and the Siamese Commissioner, a duplicate set of 
their very fine exhibit of natural drugs. 

The Representatives of Liberia and of Curacao kindly contrib- 
uted from their products many interesting specimens, including 
a fine collection of their native woods. 

The Paraguayan Commissioners generously contributed their en- 
tire exhibit in the Agricultural Building. The commissioners of the 
Argentine Republic divided carefully and equally their collection be- 
tween this institution and others, Dr. Niederlein, one of the com- 
missioners, spending the winter following the close of the Fairin the 
distribution. This donation included the wools and leathers with the 
other agricultural products. 

The representatives of Uruguay and Costa Rica contributed 
freely sets of their products, andthe Jamaican commissioners in the 
Manufacturers Building donated a full line of their agricultural 
products, including a complete set of their natural timbers, 

The commissioners of Guatemala, United States of Columbia, 
Equador and Venezuela donated freely from their agricultural col- 
lections, and each added a full set of their native woods. 

Finally, the United States Department of Agriculture loaned 
from the United States Government Building a complete collection 
of tobaccos, cottons, fiber plants, Alaskan woods, and series of forest 
trees, including the cases for each exhibit. A complete list of these 
donations collected by Mr. Buchanan will be found in a subsequent 
chapter relating to the installation of the Department of Botany. 

In the Forestry Building, Mr. Buchanan appointed Dr. C. F. 
Millspaugh whose acquaintance with the exhibitors and commission- 
ers had become extended and personal during his superintendance of 
the West Virginia collections, and service upon the Jury of Awards, 
to solicit donations from the representative treasures there exhibited. 
At the outset, the difficulty arose that many of the commissioners, 
while they particularly desired to leave the Museum a complete col- 
lection of their woods, had already promised several others portions, 
at least, of the collections; this was especially true in regard to the 
Murphy Varnish Co,, who had done so much to bring out the beau- 


24 


ties of the woods of all the countries exhibiting. In order to over. 
come this obstacle, Dr. Millspaugh, at the instigation of George E. 
Adams, Esq., now one of the trustees of the Museum, and the assist- 
ance of the Murphy Varnish Co., set up an electric motor and powet 
band saw in the buildiny, and supervised the divisions of the col. 
lections through the months of October to February, thus procur- 
_ing many valuable exhibits that would otherwise have been un- 
attainable. 

The Imperial Japanese Commission offered to donate their entire 
forestry collection provided the Museum would distribute a set of 
thirty of their commercial timbers among the seventeen different in- 
stitutions to which promises had been made. With the saw in opera- 
tion this was done, and the most complete collection of Japanese 
forestry products in the country was thus obtained. 


The British Commission made a similar request concerning 
their fine exhibit of the forest products of British India, which was 
complied with, and their exhibit, almost entire, was thus acquired. 
The Museum was thus able to secure a complete set of the excellent 
exhibit of timber of Trinidad, that was to go to the Imperial In- 
stitute, London. 


The commissioners of both Brazil and Mexico had also prom- 
ised several institutions collections of their woods. These great 
collections were however turned over complete, with the stipulation 
that the Museum should divide the collections according to their orig- 
inal plans. This was done, thus compassing these two rich displays. 

A division of products was also made for commissions of Colom- 
bia, Siam, Turkey and Venezuela, fine collections of woods being 
thus secured, that would otherwise have been lost. 

The Paraguayan Commissioners donated their complete collec- 
tion of woods to the Museum without division, while the very com- 
plete collection of the Argentine Republic was left in the hands of 
their commissioner, Dr. Gustave Niederlein to be divided between 
the Museum and one other institution. 

The Imperial Russian Commission freely donated from their 
exhibit collections not belonging to the Imperial Institute. 

The complete forestry exhibit of the State of Illinois was turned 
over to the Museum by the State Commissioners, while California, 
Washington, Oregon, Virginia, Kentucky and Michigan, Quebec and 
British Columbia added many examples of their timbers to the col- 
lections from their forestry displays. 

Messrs. Armstrong Bros., of Pittsburg, Pa., donated a full set of 
the products of the cork oaks; Redlich M’f’g Co. added numerous 
specimens of cork to this collection, which was still further increased 


25 


by a magnificent specimen of a full decortication presented by Messrs. 
Gudewill and Bucknall of New York. 

The Indurated Fiberware company of Chicago contributed a com- 
plete set of material and forms to illustrate the process of manufacture 
of utensils from wood fiber; while the Waldhof Zellstoffabrik Com- 
pany of Germany, the Japanese Commissioners, and the Commission. 
of Sweden contributed many specimens toward a colleetion to illus- 
trate the manufacture of paper from wood pulp. The Commissioners 
of Sweden also contributed a full set of products of the destructive 
distillation of wood. 

Prof. Nawa of Japan, donated entire his fine collection of insects 
injurious and beneficial to cultivated plants in Japan; of this collec- 
tion amassed in the forestry division a full account is given in a suc- 
ceeding chapter on the installation of the Department of Botany. 

As will be seen from the foregoing account the Department of 
Agriculture at the World’s Columbian Exposition, contributed its full 
quota toward the success of the Museum, giving the Department of 
Botany its initial equipment and forming the nucleus of one of the 
finest forestry displays in the country. 


26 


HISTORY OF THE COLLECTIONS PRESENTED TO THE MUSEUM 
THROUGH THE EXPOSITION DEPARTMENT OF MINES, 
MINING AND METALLURGY.—FREDERICK J. V. SKIFF, 


CHIEF. 


In narrating the history of these collections, they may for con- 
venience be divided into, first, the special collections prepared 
and exhibited by the Department of Mines, Mining and Metallurgy, 
and second, the collections exhibited by various individuals, corpo. 
rations or countries in the Mining Building, and which were solicited 
and obtained for the Field Columbian Museum by the same de- 
partment. 


THE DEPARTMENTAL COLLECTIONS. 


The Department of Mines, Mining and Metallurgy found at an 
early stage in the promotion of its exhibits, that while an unexcelled 
showing from various localities or of isolated mining and metallur- 
gical industries would be made at the Exposition, no comprehensive 
survey of the resources of great areas or complete presentation of a 
particular art from beginning to end would be made unless under 
the immediate direction and supervision of the department. The 
field was therefore carefully examined with a view to discovering 
where deficiencies or omissions might occur, and immediate steps 
were taken to have these deficiencies adequately represented. Asa 
result, five national and technological special collections were projec- 
ted. Allof these collections having been exploited by the use of 
Exposition funds, were at the close of the Exposition, by vote of the 
board of directors, transferred to the Field Columbian Museum. 

These were: 


27 


A. <A collection of the mineral combustibles of the United 
States. 

B. <Acollection of the building and ornamental stones of the 
United States. 

Cc. A graded collection illustrating the metallurgy of the prec- 
ious and base metals. 

D. <A collection of transparencies. 

E. A collection of the literature pertaining to the subjects of 
mining and metallurgy. 


A. The technical collection of the coals of the United States. 

The idea of this exhibit, and the form in which it was executed 
by the Chief of the department, was substantially as follows: 

First, the preparation of a large map of the United States on 
plate glass, and to scale of ten miles to an inch showing plainly the 
outlines of the states and lines of transportation, and designed espec- 
iailly to display, by areas painted black, the extent and distribution 
of the great anthracite and bituminous coal fields. 

Second, obtaining actual specimens of coals, cokes and lignites as 
mined in every coal producing county of the country. 

Third, exhibiting the coal samples, trimmed to a uniform size, in 
wall cases surrounding the plate glass coal map, making cross ref- 
erences from coal map to coal sample by means of figures in red 
upon the map corresponding to similar figures upon the sample and 
presenting upon the base of each sample accurate statistics as to 
quality of coal, width of seam, output of mine, etc. 

This scheme was executed with satisfactory results, and proba- 
bly no exhibit in the Mining Building conveyed so easily an intelligent 
comprehension of the geographic distribution and characteristics of 
this economic mineral. The map illustrated many interesting facts 
concerning the relations of coal areas to each other, their relation to 
lines of transportation and distribution, their relation to the great 
centers of industry, and their bearing on the future development of 
new manufacturing or industrial regions. The samples and their 
accompanying data were only obtained at the cost of much labor and 
constant application. Correspondence was entered into with the 
mine owners of the country. Specially prepared blanks were sent 
and the information provided by the responses underwent compiling 
and editing. The samples were sent in all sizes and grades and 
were trimmed to cubes of uniform dimensions, and the data obtained 
lettered upon the base supporting the sample. 


28 


The specimens were classified by states, so that the coals of any 
particular locality may be easily found. ‘The collection is installed 
in an identical manner in Hall 69 of the Museum. 

B,. The collection of building and ornamental stones of the United 
States. A special circular prepared in the office of the depart- 
ment calling attention of quarrymen to the undertaking of the 
department to make a qualitative exhibit of the building and 
ornamental stones of the United States was distributed discriminately 
in the leading stone producing districts of each state. This circular 
also described the manner in which specimens should be prepared. 
It instructed contributors to trim the cube samples four inches each 
way and to dress the sides of the cube in different fashions—ribbed, 
tooled, polished, planed, etc. 

The specimens as they came in from the quarries were labeled 
and arranged in glass cases and installed under Group 44 of the 
central west gallery of the Mining Building. The samples in the 
majority of cases were sent as contributions and in some cases were 
loaned. 

Special blanks calling for statistical data relative to the location 
of the quarry, character of the stone, position of the strata—bedded 
or vertical, chemical analysis of the stone, physical tests, etc., were 
sent out with the original request, and the information obtained 
in this manner was carefully collated for the report of the Depart- 
ment to the Director-General. 

A series of transparencies illustrating on a large scale the micro- 
scopic structure of typical stone specimens was especially prepared 
for this exhibit by Mr. Geo. P. Merrill, Curator of the Section of 
Building and Ornamental Stones of the United States National Mus- 
eum, and author of the well-known work ‘‘The Building and Orna- 
mental Stone of the United States.” These transparencies were 
hung before the large window over the main east entrance to the 
building, and in close proximity to the stone collection. 

The collection was transferred to the Field Columbian Museum 
and is now installed in Hall 68. 


C. TLechnical Collection Illustrating Metallurgical Science. 


A pamphlet setting forth the aims of the Department to fittingly 
and instructively present an exhibit of the metallurgy of the 
precious and base metals was prepared during the period of promo- 
tion in the office of the Department, and was distributed among the 
principal metal producers and manufacturers. The scheme as out- 
lined in this pamphlet comprised separate monographic exhibits of 
each of the principal metals of economic importance. It included 
actual samples that illustrated the progress of the metal from the ore 


29 


‘xouuy 1S9AM 
’ “SNOILOATIO[Z) TVOIOYNATIVIAW, GNV ONINIJ aH, 


PAeAvsud uaddt By vvozuiy ssu0 uaae> 


Se 


as it left the mine’s mouth, to the specimens of alloys and various 
manufactured articles. 

The steps represented, therefore, were: 

First:—Concentration samples, or mine metallurgy, showing 
the ores after various processes of milling, separating, etc. 

Second :—Reduction samples showing the product of ore treat- 
ment by fire, by chemical and other processes. 

Third :—Application samples, which show the manner in which 
metals are alloyed or otherwise combined to make them more use- 
ful in the arts. 

Fourth :—Samples illustrating test treatments. Under this head 
were exhibited specimens bringing out the interesting results of test- 
ing for tensile strength, torsion, malleability and various other tests 
necessary to meet the severe requirements of modern engineering. 

The scheme also provided for a display of diagrams of metal- 
lurgical process as well as pictures and models of the appliances in 
practical use. This scheme resulted in an assemblage of excellent 
museum material arranged on strictly scientific lines. The collec- 
tions were both contributed and loaned, and most of the owners of 
private exhibits, after learning of the project of transferring thx 
exhibit to the Museum, cheerfully gave their assent and donated 
the material outright. The collections are now installed in Halls 
72 and 79. 


D. A collectionof Transparencies, 

In order to illustrate the development of the mining and 
metallurgical arts and to show their crude beginnings, a series of 
enlargements of drawings from the earliest work on the subject, 
that of Agricola, were specially prepared. These were enlarged 
usually from two to three times, and were reproduced photograph- 
ically on glass with ground glass backing. They hung in frames 
along the entire length of the west gallery of the Mining Building 
and fittingly accompanied the technical collections installed there. 
The subjects represented in this manner are: 

Divining Rod; Underground Mine Working; Mine Exploring Level; Timbering; 
Barrows and Cars; Drum for Hoist; Power House; Drainage Chain and Work; 
Mine Drainage Apparatus; Pumping Apparatus; Pumping; Ore Bucket Hoist; Ven- 
tilation, Hand Pewer; Form cf Shaft; Pottery; Stamp Mill; Overshot Wheel and 
Stamp Mill; Assorting af Ores; Crusher: Crusher--Man and Animal Form: Rotary 
Crushers and Washers; Trough Washers and Separators; Compound Stamps; Sieving 
and Sizing Appliances; Cradle; Riffles; Various Methods of Hand Washing; River 
Mining; Mine Dump, etc.; Furnace; Blowers for Furnace; Weighing and Mining of 
Ores for the Furnace; Method of Charging Furnace; Metallurgy of Lead; Manufac- 
ture of Blooms and Plates; Charging Furnace; Manufacture of Hard Steel: Reduction 
of Silver; Sublimation Chambers; Separation of Copper from Lead; Separation of 
Gold from Silver; Assaying of Gold and Silver; Foundry with Crane; Dome Fur- 


31 


nace; Remelting of Lead and Refining; Preparation of Silver to separate Copper; 
Apparatus.employed in the preparation of Silver to separate Copper; Preparation 
of Tin; Furnace; Heating Ingots; Cooling Bath; Ancient Salt Garden, Evaporation 
of Salt: Distillation of Sulphur; Pottery Kiln; River Mining; Ventilation, Hand and 
Horse Power. 

E, Collection of literature pertaining to mining and metallurgy. 

A separate reading and library room was set aside in the 
south west gallery of the Mining Building where was exhibited a 
comprehensive collection of the principal works bearing upon min- 
ing and metallurgy. The list includes extensive sets of publica- 
tions of the United States and State Geological Surveys, etc. These 
books were contributed to the Library by publishers at the solic- 
itation of the department. At the close of the Exposition they 
were conveyed to the Library of the Museum. Chief Skiff of the 
Mining Department also donated a collection of 500 books on mining 
to the Museum. 


LE. 


EXHIBITS OTHER THAN DEPARTMENTAL. 


When steps had been taken for establishing the Museum, an 
active organized effort was made by the department to solicit and 
secure the contribution of material from among the exhibitorsin the 
Mining Building. Circulars and donation blanks were liberally dis- 
tributed by representatives of the department, and all of the exhib- 
itors were canvassed personally by the Chief and his assistants. 
Letters were also issued to the various state and foreign commis- 
sioners making collective exhibits in the building. In this manner 
nothing was allowed to escape by lack of urgent request. The de- 
partment was materially assisted in this by the friendly advice and 
active co-operation of Prof. T. C. Chamberlin, Prof. R. D. Salisbury, 
and Prof. R. A. F. Penrose of the: Chicago University, Dr. Her- 
man Haupt, Jr., of Armour Institute, Prof. Geo. Collie of Beloit 
College. These gentlemen performed a large amount of valuable 
labor in selecting the specially choice specimens of ‘geologic and 
mineralogic value, and material possessing unusual excellence from 
a museum standpoint. 

The transfer of this material to the Museum occupied a large 
portion of the winter months. On account of its bulkiness and 
great weight it could be moved only with much labor, and its final 
installation was attended with equal if not greater difficulties. 


32 


Among the larger displays placed in the hands of the Chief of 
the department for disposition may be mentioned the iron and 
steel exhibit from the German Section, that of Messrs. Stumm Bros., 
the entire exhibit of the Standard Oil Co., etc. 

These exhibits much worked over, re-labeled and arranged 
according to scientific classification, will be found in the thirteen 
halls of the west annex. The entire ore, mineral, metallurgical 
and engineering collections and the cases in which they are installed, 
in these thirteen halls are the exclusive donation of the Exposition 
through the Department of Mines, Mining and Metallurgy to the 
Field Columbian Museum, 


EXHIBITORS CONTRIBUTING FROM THE MINING BUILDING. 
z 


Acme Cement Plaster Co. French General Asphalt Co. 

Aitchison Metal Co. Fullers’ Earth Mining Co. 

Alan Wood Co. Galitzki, L. 

Albion Clay Co. Goyard, M. 

American Cement Co. Greek Commission, W. C. E. 

American Tripoli Co. Gibbs & Co., Lt’d. 

Anker, Chr. : Hardtmuth, L. & C. 

Bergen Port Sulphur Works. Houston, Sam H. 

Best Bros. & Co. Illinois Brick & Tile Assn. 

Black Rock Mining Co. Illinois Fluor-Spar & Lead Co. 

Boyden, Obadiah S. Indiana Commission, W. C. E. 

British Columbia Commission, W.C.E. Indiana Stone Co. 

Buckeye Portland Cement Co. Jessup, W. & Son. 

California Commission, W, C. E. Johns, H. W. M’f’g. Co. 

Compagnie Francaise des Mines de Kentucky Commission, W. C. E. 
-Laurium France. Kunz, Geo. F. 

Canada Iron Furnace Co. (Ltd). Lathrobe Steel Co. 

Cape Colony Commission, W. C. E. Leffel, James & Co. 

Chisholm, Boyd & White. Lipe, Chas. E. 

Colorado Commission, W. C. E. Louisiana Commission, W. C. E. 

Connecticut Commission, W. C. E. MacKay, Henry S. 

Coplay Cement Co. McCune, W. A., & Co. 

Corydon Stone Co. Mexican Exhibitors: 

Crown Preserved Coal Co. Compania Minera de los Placeres. 

Drake Co., The. Compania Minera y Fundidora de 

East Anglian Cement Co. Santa Rosa. 

East Tennessee Land Co. Compania Minera la Fronteriza. 

Empire Portland Cement Co. Compania Minera la Parrena. 

Fort Madison & Appanoose Stone Co. Compania Minera la Fortuna, 


Cia Minera de Jesus Maria. 

Cia Metallurgica Mexicana. 

Cia Minera Constancia y Perrena. 

Galindo Modesto. 

Kopez, Lucio B 

Vega Miguel. 

Pul Miguel. 

Puente Telipe. 

Cia Minera el Carmen. 

Cia Fundidora y Ofinadora de Mon- 
terey. 

Cia Minera la Union. 

Gran Fundicion Nacional Mexicana. 

Maiz Joaquin. 

Gobierno de Oaxaca. 

Hegociacion La Castellana. 

Hegociacion Huitccicila. 

Hegociacion Montage. 

Hegociacion La Randanera. 

Mexican International Railroad 

Prospero de la Fuente. 

Carlos Gonzalez. 

Hacienda de la Concha. 

Gobierno de Colima. 

Cortez Salazar y Cia. 

Aurelio Lurtique. 

Municipio de Monterey. 

Salazar Francisco. 

Gobierno de Sonoro. 

Tepic, Political Authority of. 

Marcelo Salinas. 

Ewique, Freeman. 

Gonzalez Lic, Jose G. 

Praxidis Guerrero. 

Ramon, C. Ortoz. 

juan N. Torres. 

Gobierno de Michoacan 

j. A. Hartman & Co. 

Compania Minera la Barranca. 

Compania Concentradora La Dura. 

Miguel Guzman. 

G. Micho. 


34 


Anthracita Sonora. 

Cia Minera La Luz. 
Mines & Mining Department. W. C. E. 
Minnesota Commission, W. C. E. 
Moulton, Francis D. & Co. 
Morning Star Mining Co. 
Musselburg Wire Co. 
New Mexico Commission, 
New South Wales Commission, W.C.E. 
New York Commission, W. C. E. 
Ontario Commission, W. C. E. 
Ohio Commission, W. C. E. 
Oregon Commission, W C. E. 
Philadelphia Engineering Works. 
Pittsburgh Coal Exchange. 
Quebec Commission, W. C. E. 
Roessler & Hasslacher Chemical Co 
Russian Cement Co. 
Salisbury Mining Co. 
San Juan del Rey Mining Co. 
Sandusky Portland Cement Co. 
Sioux Valley Stone Co. 
South Dakota Commission W. C. E. 
Standard Oil Co. 
Standard Asphalt Co. 
Stanley Mining Co. 
Stumm Bros. 
Suydam, John. 
Trenton Iron Co. 
Truax Mfg. Co. 
Turner, W. G. 
United Alkali Co., Ltd. 
United Coal Co. 
Waldhof Sulphite Co. 
Warren Chemical Works. 
Warren Scharf Asphalt Paving Co- 
Weimer Machine Works. 
Western Mineral Wool Co. 
White, T. & S. C. 
White Cap Mining Co, 
Zimmerman, John. 


HISTORY OF THE COLLECTIONS PRESENTED TO THE MUSEUM 
THROUGH THE EXPOSITION DEPARTMENT OF ARCH- 
/EOLOGY AND ETHNOLOGY.—F. W. PUTNAM, Culer. 


The extensive exhibits illustrating the archeology and eth- 
nology of America displayed in the Anthropological Building of the 
Exposition were brought together by its Chief, Prof. F, W. Putnam 
as the result of two or three years of energetic work on the part of 
himself and alarge corps of assistants. The exhibit was originally 
planned by Prof. Putnam with the distinct idea of using the oppor- 
tunity offered by the Exposition to assemble a vast number of 
anthropological objects representing the American peoples—a field 
of exceptional richness. He kept in mind the value such collections 
would have for permanent exhibition and this, no doubt, furnished 
the inspiration which led him to express the hope that a great anthro- 
pological museum might be ultimately established in Chicago, 

The collections transferred by vote of the directors to the custody 
of the Museum at the close of the Exposition were obtained through 
special expeditions sent out under the direction of Prof. Putnam or 
by collectors resident in the field who were commissioned by the De- 
partment of Ethnology to undertake the work. The principal expe- 
dition to South America was under George A. Dorsey who in 1891 
was sent to Peru, Ecuador, Chili and Bolivia. Other collections 
from South America were gathered through United States naval 
officers, commissioned by the department to go to widely remote 
localities; the result of their work is to be seen in the Scriven collec- 
tion from Costa Rica, the Welles collection from the Orinoco ‘River 
and the Safford collection from Peru; also the Bertolette collection 
from Paraguay. 

The Central American field was covered by Mr. Edward H. 
Thompson, United States Consul to Yucatan, under whose direction 
a series of casts of Central American ruins were procured, as well as 
by the research work carried on by Messrs. Seville and Owens. The 


35 


archeological collection from Southern California was secured 
through the servicesof Stephen Bowers, of Ventura, California. 

A series of archeological investigations among the remains of 
North American aboriginal peoples was also initiated by Prof. Put- 
nam and resulted in collections from the Little Miami Valley and the 
Hopewell group of moundsof Ross County, Ohio, collected by War- 
ren K. Moorehead; the archeological collection from New Jersey, 
by Ernest Volk, the Michigan collections by Harlan J. Smith, and 
the archeological collection from Ohio by Dr. C. L. Metz; also the , 
models of Ohio earthworks prepared by Prof. Putnam himself. 

Expeditions were sent out in 1891 to Alaska and to various 
Indian tribes of Canada and the United States, principally for the 
purpose of gathering anthropometric material. The collectors in 
this work were for the most part men of the Harvard Medical School 
or residents in the territory covered. 

In 1892 the work was again taken up and some fifty men were in 
the field covering the territory from Mexico to Alaska and from the 
Atlantic tothe Pacific. The collections then gathered and afterwards 
transferred to the Museum are as follows: 


Dean Collection from North Pacific Coast. 

Wilson ‘¢  Assiniboin Indians, 

Hall uf ‘¢ Ojibway Indians. 

Bolton me ‘¢ Shoalwater Indians. 

Holgate oe ‘¢ Ottawa Indians. 

Cowie fe ‘¢ Saskatchewan Indians. 

Brown os ‘¢ Ottawa Indians—Queen Sound. 
Tisdale Ee ‘¢ ~~ Montagnaise Indians. 

Tisdale iS ‘¢ Amalcite Indians. 

‘Tisdale oa ‘* Micmac Indians. 

McDonald t ‘« Micmac Indians. 

Kaven at; “ Soisseron- Aowency, ba Cs 

Wilson - ‘«  Salteaux Indians. 

Boas os ‘* North Pacific Coast. 

Jacobsen a ‘¢ Bella Coola. 

Shurtleff we ‘¢  Muskhogee Indians of Indian Ter 
Riddle fe ‘¢ Menominee Indians, Minn. 
McLean ae ‘‘ Blackfeet Indians. 

Ruoff Bs “« Chippewa Indians. 

Montague a ‘¢ Minnesota Indians. 

Fairbank a “~~ bltord. Ne. 

Eells ah <* Puget Sound. 

Swan “ “27 Cape Miatteny: 

Peary a “¢ Eskimo of Smith Sound, Alaska. 
Cherry ‘¢ Yukon Valley. 


36 


Collections from the European museums of Berlin, Vienna, etc., 
as wellas the Finsch collection were obtained by Dr. Franz Boas who, 
atan early stage of the promotion of the work of the Department of 
Ethnology, was sent abroad to secure exhibit material, 

The Anthropological Library was brought together from various 
parts of the world in response to a printed circular, sent out by Prof. 
Putnam in February, 1893. A special library of over 1,200 
books and pamphlets was thus secured to the Museum, 


37 


‘xXoUUY jSeqy 


“NOILLOYTIO[) GVONTIVY VINVATASNNAd AH], 


HISTORY OF THE COLLECTIONS PRESENTED TO THE MUSEUM 
THROUGH THE EXPOSITION DEPARTMENT OF TRANS= 
PORTATION EXHIBITS. —WILLARD A. SMITH, Culer. 


The Department of Transportation Exhibits of the World’s 
Columbian Exposition was planned with a view to showing as graphic- 
ally as might be, not only the most improved transportation methods 
and appliances of the present time, but also the gradual steps by 
which the present high degree of perfection has been reached. The 
conveyance of men and things from place to place was one of the first 
wants of the race to develop itself after the birth of industrial activity. 
Civilization has been so dependent upon physical means of inter- 
communication in all ages, and physical, intellectual, and moral im- 
provement have clung so closely to the world’s highways that the 
one may be fairly said to be the index to the other. If modern ciy- 
ilization is to prove permanent and is not to suffer the fate of the 
ancient, it will be largely because the world is becoming so closely 
bound together by the bands of iron—the highways of commerce and 
of intelligence on land and sea—that the fact of solidarity may lead 
mankind into the realization of that brotherhood which is still only a 
sentiment. 

To illustrate the beginnings of transportation is not difficult be- 
cause among the ruder and less informed nations of the world of to- 
day these still exist in their original simplicity and in identical forms. 
The perfection attained by the ancients in wheeled vehicles, sad- 
dlery, and water-craft, are more difficult to show, because there are 
almost no remains of the articles themselves. A light two-wheeled 
vehicle believed to be a Scythian racing chariot was exhumed from 
an Egyptian mummy pit and is now in the Archeological Museum at 
Florence, Italy. The perfection of its workmanship is remarkable 
and certainly indicates that the historical accounts of ancient vehicles 
are not overdrawn. In the museum oz the New York Historical So- 
ciety there is also an ancient Egyptian wheel, With these exceptions 


39 


there are no known relics in existence. An exact replica of the 
former was made in Florence for the Exposition and is now in the Field 
Columbian Museum. From the same place also came a copy of a 
child’s toy boat, found in an Etruscan tomb. These are, we believe, 
the only remains known of ancient vehicles. The museums of the 
world, however, contain numerous ancient and medizval bits, 
spurs, etc., exhumed from tombs or found on battle fields, a fair 
representation of which were loaned to the Exposition, but could not 
be retained for the Museum. 

On the various monuments of antiquity, in manuscripts, in in- 
scriptions on mummy cases, etc., there are found various representa- 
tions of vehicles, saddlery, and boats, from which fairly accurate pic- 
tures have been made. Many of the illustrations to be found in 
historical works are imaginary, based to be sure upon authentic 
descriptions but dependent in details upon the fancy of the artist. 
From the most important and accurate of these, numerous pictures 
were prepared for the Exposition which are now to be found upon 
the walls of the Museum. 


European museums contain many interesting vehicles of the 
tenth century. .Of the many centuries before that, there are no 
relics, except an occasional fragment of saddlery. There are in ex- 
istence many interesting vehicles of the early portion of the present 
century, but their bulk and the difficulty of transporting them long 
distances rendered it impossible to secure them for exhibition—ex- 
cept by means of pictures. A very interesting example was how- 
ever shown in the Brazilian exhibit at the Exposition in the shape 
of a royal carriage formerly belonging to the Emperor Dom Pedro, 
evidently made in Europe, and corresponding very closely with the 
royal carriages of the eighteenth century. 


Among the most interesting of existing rude forms of transpor- 
tation are those of the American Continent. From Alaska were se- 
cured various canoes, dog-sleds, etc., through the Alaska Com- 
mercial Co., and Lieutenant G. V. Emmons of the U. S. N., South 
American canoes, donkeys, llamas, sedans and pack outfits for men 
and beasts were obtained through the agency of the Latin Ameri- 
can Department of the Exposition, Dr. Luna of Peru, and Lieutenant 
H. R. Lemley, U. 8. A. Mexican ox-carts of rude construction were 
purchased direct by the Exposition; and the Mexican’ government 
exhibit included mule-litters, saddlery, ete. The Brazilian govern- 
ment also contributed aboriginal canoes, rafts and jangadas. The 
Indians of the Pueblo of Acoma, New Mexico, contributed a rude ox- 
cart of their own construction. 

The collection of the various interesting water-craft, sedans, palan- 


40 


quins, and models of every kind illustrating transportation in Africa, 
Australia, India, Burmah, China, Malta, Madeira, Sicily, Straits Set- 
tlements, Syria and the West Indies were made through the agency 
of the consuls and consular agents of the United States. These gen- 
tlemen were not only courteous in furnishing information, but inde- 
fatigable in pursuing pointers sent to them and purchasing and _ ship- 
ping the desired articles. As no similar work of collection had ever 
been undertaken before, the result accomplished in such a short time 
and at very small expense was certainly remarkable. 


Interesting contributions to the historical feature of the Transpor- 
tation Exhibits Department of the Exposition were made by the gov- 
- ernments of Argentine, Brazil, British Guiana, Cape Colony, Ceylon, 
Italy and Siam; portions of which came subsequently into the pos- 
session of the Field Columbian Museum. The German engineering 
exhibit was especially rich in this regard, as was also that of Spain. 
The historical articles in these exhibits, as well as those of Great 
Britain, France, Japan, Mexico, New South Wales, Netherlands, 
Norway and Russia, were the property of museums or other institu- 
tions, and could not -be retained for the Field Columbian Museum. 
The interesting Turkish exhibit was purchased by the Exposition 
through Mr. Robert Levy of the firm of Elia Souhami Saddulah & 
Co., of Constantinople. 


The great collection of relics, models, photographs, drawings 
and reproductions, forming the unrivalled railway division of the 
Department of Industrial Arts of the Field Columbian Museum, was 
collected and prepared by the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Company, 
through its agent, Maj. J. G, Pangborn, and the Pennsylvania 
Railroad Company through its agent, Mr. J. Elfreth Watkins. The 
Chicago & Northwestern Ry. Co., contributed the locomotive ‘‘ Pio- 
neer, ’”’ and the Illinois Central Railroad Co., the locomotive ‘‘ Missis- 
sippi.’”’ The Exposition contributed the locomotive ‘‘ Samson” and 
the car accompanying it, and the locomotive ‘‘ Albion,” purchased in 
Nova Scotia. A. S. Hallidie of San Francisco, Cal., contributed the 
first dummy used on a cable railway, a section of the road, grip, etc., 
and various other manufacturers also made important contributions, 
Many interesting tickets, passes, time-tables, way-bills, etc., were pre- 
sented by individual donors—these having been portions of an admir- 
able loan collection made for the Exposition by Geo. De Haven, Esq., 
General Passenger Agent, C. & W.M. and D. L. & M. Railroads. The 
Museum purchased from the Plymouth Works of Merthyr Tydfil, 
Wales, two of the first wagons or trucks ever drawn on rails by steam; 
together with rails and stone stringers from the road on which these 
cars were drawn by Trevithick’s locomotive in 1804. These consti- 


41 


tute perhaps the most interesting railway relics in the world; unless 
exception be made in favor of Stephenson’s ‘‘ Rocket” in the South 
Kensington Museum, London. 

The amount of work and expense represented in this section of 
the Museum is very great. It was undertaken in time to save many 
valuable relics which would soon have disappeared. The Museum 
will welcome additions to this division from authentic sources and 
will be’ obliged for information tending to further its accuracy and 
completeness. It is believed that there is here the nucleus at least 
of a collection which will be not only unique among the museums of 
the world, but of the highest practical value to the people. 

The abundant success that attended the execution of the elabo- 
rate and sweeping plans of the Department of Transportation Exhibits, 
gave to the Chief of that Department deserved prominence among the 
executive officers of the Exposition. That the Museum to-day possesses 
the marvellous collection of vehicles, crafts and other means of trans- 
portation upon land and water, representing the methods of all 
nations and allclimes, is because from the inception of the project to 
establish an institution of this character as a memorial to the Expo- 
sition and the men who made it, and until the work was done, Mr. 
Willard A. Smith assumed his part of the labor with the high inspira- 
tion and devotion that characterized his labors for the department 
over which he presided. 


EXPOSITION MEMORIAL STATUARY. 


The Rotunda of the main building of the Museum is devoted to 
an artistic memorial of Columbus and of the Columbian Exposition. 
The center-piece—the statue of the great discoverer consecrating 
the New World—at once attracts attention both as an historical 
study and as a work of art. The original models of the figures 
and groups of figures ornamenting the main exposition buildings, 
and donated by the Exposition to the Museum, occupy the entire 
space around the statue. These models are invaluable as works of 
modern art, representing the genius of the most talented sculptors 
of the present day. 

In the contracts entered into with the various prominent sculp- 
tors they were called upon to furnish what are called ‘‘ Sketches” of 
the sculptural decorations, i. e., the models were to be about one- 
sixth of the full size; from these models the Exposition’s force of 
sculptors prepared full size work enlarging the ‘‘Sketches” ‘six 
times. All the models were first submitted to the architects of the 
buildings for approval, in order to harmonize the sculptural decora- 
tions with the architecture. The models shown in the Museum are 
the original ‘‘ Sketches. ” 

The heroic-sized statue of Columbus, with uplifted sword in one 
hand and grasping in the other hand the standard of Castile and Leon, is 
the imposing center-piece of this collection of historic statuary. 
This statue overlooked the Court of Honor from its position during 
the Exposition at the main portal of the administration building. 

The next in point of size is the model of the Republic Statue 
by Edwin C. French. This, like the other statuary, is one-sixth 
the size of the completed figure, but its height is about equal to the 
full size Columbus. 


43 


Reference to the plan below, of the Rotunda will give the exact 
position as installed of these sculptural pieces. The Statue of the 
Republic is marked No. 2. 

Thirty-six of the allegorical figures that ornamented the Admin- 
istration Building, by Karl Bitter, are shown in models (Nos. 3 to 38 
of Plan). ‘The other pieces are the sculpture work on the Agricul- 
tural Building, by Philip Martiny, (Nos. 39 to 45); figures of inven- 
tion on Machinery Hall by Robert Kraus (Nos. 46 to 51); six figures 


PLAN oF ROTUNDA, 


on Machinery Hall by M. A. Waagen (Nos. 52 to 57); sculpture on 
Colonnade, by M. A. Waagen (Nos. 58 and 59); sculpture work on 
the Electricity Building by I. A. Blankinship and N. A. McNeill 
(Nos. 60 and 61); sculpture work on lagoons by M. A. Waagen (No. 
62); sculpture work on boat landings by D. C. French and E. C. Pot-. 
ter (Nos. 63 to 66); sculture work on bridges of lagoons by Edward 
Kemeys (Nos. 67 to 69);and Glorification of Discovery, by Cratt 
(No. 70). 


44 


THE COLUMBUS MEMORIAL COLLECTIONS. 


The most representative of the pictures and historical objects 
exhibited in La Rabida have been placed on exhibition in Halls 1, 8, 
and g of the Museum. Owing to lack of sufficient wall space, not all 
of the pictures could be displayed, but as far as possbile every one 
of the divisions of the subjects as treated in the Exposition catalogue 
of the relics and of the portraits of Columbus are represented. 

The later career of Columbus is given in pictorial form upon the 
walls and screens of Hall 9. The pictures, maps, and charts exhibit 
the primitive state of geographical knowledge at the time when the 
great explorer needed the best results of the hydrographic art. Here 
are portraits of great contemporary travelers, such as Marco Polo 
and Martin Beheim, also data upon the supposed earlier discoverers 
of the New World, including charts showing the course of their 
voyages. 

The Court of Ferdinand and Isabella is vividly brought before 
the eye by the portraits of the king and queen, by pictures of castles, 
cathedrals and notable buildings that figured prominently in the his- 
tory of this great period. 

Views of the city of Genoa and its antiquated but picturesque 
surroundings take one for a temporary sojourn into the midst of the 
scenes of Columbus’ birth and early boyhood. His career in Spain is 
illustrated by paintings of the Monastery of La Rabida and of its 
generous hearted prior, Father Perez. In one case is to be seen an 
original door and jambof the Monastery. There are, also, a number 
of more or less imaginative pictures, such as Columbus explaining 
his theories at the Monastery; Columbus appearing before the gates; 
views of the city of Salamanca, where Columbus appeared before the 
Council, and of the roads through which he traveled in Spain. 

Of the scenes associated with his several voyages, there is pro- 
fuse illustration. The departure, the caravels, and the landing, 
receive, of course, sympathetic and varied treatment. The lands he 


45 


visited are represented in the collection from Watling’s Island where 
he first touched, to San Domingo and Honduras, where he first set 
foot on the American Continent proper. Maps show the zigzag 
course of his voyages, and the modern towns are indicated in order 
to identify the new names with old historic sites. Various relics, 
such as spears, handcuffs, bells and other ancient articles form a most _ 
curious collection of antiquities. Among these should be mentioned 
the sixteenth century anchor which laid in the mud on the east bank 
of the Amazon river for centuries, and according to tradition was the 
property of Don Diego Colon. The key is preserved which belonged 
to the house at Porto Santo, Madeira Islands, where Columbus lived 
after his marriage. A pile of stone, brick and tiles represents all that 
remains of the town of Isabella, the first civilized settlement of the 
New World, founded by Columbus on his second voyage in 1493. 

The personal history of Coiumbus’ latter days consist of pictures 
of the death of Columbus, of the house in which he died at Vallado- 
lid, and of the various resting places of his remains. They were 
once interred at Cartuga and also in the cathedral of Santo Domingo 
A fac-simile of the box in which his remains were found in this cathe 
dral as well as a reproduction of the casket in which his dust is now 
contained are in the collections. 

The descendants of Columbus, his son Diego and his son Fer- 
nando in portrait and likenesses of his later descendants, the Duke 
of Veragua, Don Luis Columbus, and Don Pedro Colon, hang upon 
the walls of Hall 8. 

The personal relics of Columbus consist of a reproduction of his 
autograph letters, his commission as Viceroy and Governor-General 
of the Indies of which the original is in the possession of the Duke of 
Veragua, the grant of a coat of arms to Columbus by the Catholic kings; 
original grant of 10,000 Maravedis per year made to Columbus by 
the Catholic kings, ete. Eight cases in Hall g are filled with pho- 
tographs, papers and documents relating to Columbus, owned by 
the Duke of Veragua and others. The manner in which the discovery 
of the New World was published is told by the rare books, maps 
pictures and charts found upon the screens and in the cases of Hall 
9. Here is areprint of the Guiliano Dati poem which recounts in 
metrical form the story of Columbus and his voyage. Here are 
the curious and crude pictures first printed of the scenes in the New 
World and of itsinhabitants; manuscript copies of Ptolemy’s Cosmo- 
graphiae, fac-similes of the first charts of the West Indies, both of 
which greatly improved upon the earlier attempts at charting the 
new western region. 


46 


Several sections of the collection are devoted to maps and charts 
showing the progress of the growth of geographic knowledge; to the 
history of the conquest and colonization of the South and Central 
American countries; and to Spanish remains in North America. 

The south wall of Hall 8 is entirely devoted to portraits of 
Columbus which are grouped into four classes as follows: 

1. Those of the Giovio type—either copies of the portrait which 
hung in the gallery of the Archbishop of Como, or drawn from ver- 
bal descriptions given the Admiral by his contemporaries. 

2. The De Bry type, representing Columbus as a Dutchman. 

3. The portraits with beards and costumes of the century sub- 
sequent to his death. 

4. The fanciful pictures without pretense to authenticity. 

Upon the north wall are displayed pictures of the many mon- 
uments erected in honor of Columbus. 

In this same hall the nucleus has been made of a collection of 
articles used in the administrative work of the World’s Columbian 
Exposition, such as bonds, tickets of admission, etc. In connection 
with this collection is exhibited the original march of the Columbus 
ode and hymn, sung at the dedication of the Exposition, Nov. 22 
1892. 


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THe DEPAREMEN TT OF GEOLOGY: 


Geology may be defined as the science which treats of the history 
of the earth’s development and the materials which form its crust. It 
is this subject which by means of actual rock specimens the Depart- 
ment of Geology seeks to illustrate and the facts of which it aims to 
present in a form as vivid and as available for direct study as does 
Nature herself. Inthe place of printed descriptions of what others 
have seen and from which their conclusions have been drawn, each 
may here see for himself natural objects and construct if he desires 
his own science. While therefore each specimen is not without its 
individual interest, it is as parts of a systematically arranged whole 
that they possess greatest value. 

The history of the earth’s development is illustrated by speci- 
mens of the fossils of successive eras, by models of the forms of relief 
which now mark its surface, by specimens of those bodies which, 
coming to us from beyond the earth, are believed to indicate much in 
regard to its constitution, and by specimens which show the effects 
of physical and chemical forces in shaping and modifying its crust. 
The materials of the earth’s crust are illustrated by collections show- 
ing its mineral species, its rock varieties, and the ores and ipucoT afer: 
which it yields of use to man. 

Since the latter class of substances has an interest and applica- 
tion quite apart from that which pertains to geology as a theoretical 
science, a primary division of the collections is made in order to set 
forth these two phases of the subject separately. The collections 
illustrating geology as a_ theoretical science are grouped in the 
Division of Systematic Geology; those setting forth its practical bear- 
ings, in the Division of Economic Geology. The collections of the 
former class occupy eight halls of the Museum, those of the latter, 
thirteen. 


SYSTEMATIC GEOLOGY. 


The subjects illustrated under the Division of Systematic Geol- 
ogy are six in number, as follows: Paleontology, Geographic Geol- 


49 


ogy, Meteorites, Systematic Mineralogy, Structural and Dynamical 
Geology and Lithology. 

To the section of Paleontology three halls are devoted and about 
5,000 specimens are here displayed. These are arranged in an 
order which passes from left to right, and which corresponds to that 
found in following the stratified formations of the earth’s crust from 
the lowest up to the highest. One may therefore read from this col- 
lection, as he would from a book, an account of the progress and 
characters of life upon the globe from its earliest forms to those of the 
present time. While the primary plan of arrangementis stratigraph- 
ical, secondarily it is biological, the fossils of each epoch being 
placed in accordance with their rank in the scale of being. 


As specimens especially instructive or valuable in this collection 
may be noted the following: A complete series of Hozoon from the 
Laurentian beds, trilobites of the Cambrian and Lower Silurian, a 
number of perfect specimens of Lurypterus and allied genera from 
the Water-lime of New York, fishes of the Old Red Sandstone, con- 
cretions bearing Pecopterta and allied genera, of the Carboniferous, 
specimens of Lithostrotion, Melonites and Pentremites of the same 
era, reptile tracks of the Triassic, a large number of well preserved 
remains of insects and crustacea from the lithographic limestones, 
Ammonites Belemnites and Icthyosaur, including one large, com- 
plete skull of the latter, of the Jurassic, leaves of angiosperms, spec- 
imens of Rudistes, and Baculites, of the Cretaceous, teleosts from the 
Green River beds, portions of skulls and limb bones of Oreodon and 
Titanotherium of the Tertiary, various bones of L/ephas, Mastodon, 
Ursus, and Dinornis of the Quaternary and two practically complete 
mounted skeletons of Mastodon and Megaleros of the same era. There 
are also casts or restorations of full-sized skeletons of Megatherium, 
Dinoceros, Hadrosaurus and Glyptodon, casts of skulls of Lvephas, 
Dinotherium, Mastodon and other large quaternary mammals, and 
restorations of the Wammoth and the Indian turtle, Colossochelys. 


The section of Geographic Geology illustrates, in a vivid and 
realistic way, the surface configuration of the earth and the geolog- 
ical processes which have been instrumental in shaping it. 
The chief feature of the exhibit is a series of about fifty relief maps 
which reproduce on a representative scale the topography and 
structure of selected portions of the earth’s surface. Many of the 
maps are colored so as to indicate the geological formations of the 


region and some are also dissected so as to allow a more intimate 


study of these. Among the more important relief maps shown may 
be mentioned two of the United States and Gulf of Mexico modeled 
on asection of a globe sixteen and one-half feet in diameter, relief 


30 


map of the Yellowstone National Park, of the Vinta 2nd Wahsatch 
mountains, the Grand Cafion of the Colorado, the State of Massachu- 
setts, the Henry mountains and Palestine. A very instructive series 
of ideal reliefs illustrate typical glacier, volcano, valley and sea-coast 
regions. There are also exhibited stereogram, hypsometrical and 
geological maps and globes of various sizes. 

The collection of meteorites, occupying one hall, may claim 
recognition as one of the largest in this country. Here are shown 
specimens representing 180 separate meteoric ‘‘ falls” or ‘‘ finds” 
which have an aggregate weight of 4,745.6 pounds. These are 
grouped into the three classes of erosiderites, erosiderolites and 
erolites, and placed in chronological order under each group. 

Here may be seen the largest meteoric stone in the world, that 
of Phillips County, Kansas, weighing 1,184.5 pounds; also two masses 
weighing respectively 465 and 344.5 pounds withseveral smaller ones 
of the Kiowa County, Kansas, meteorite; two masses weighing 1,013 
and 265 pounds respectively, and several smaller ones of the Cafion 
Diablo, Arizona, meteorite; about 650 complete individual cerolites 
of the Winnebago County, Iowa, fall, and many other unique spec- 
imens. About sixty casts illustrate the shape and size of notable 
meteorites, including the huge masses of Chihuahua, Mexico. 


In the section of systematic mineralogy, about 5,000 specimens 
are displayed, which represent quite fully the various mineral species 
and the localities which produce them. 

These are arranged in an order similar to that given in Dana’s 
new system of mineralogy, that is, are classified according to the 
chemical constitution of each species. Case labels indicate the chem- 
ical groups that are represented and supplementary cards show the 
chemical composition and system of crystallization of each species. 
The following species and localities may be mentioned as being 
especially well represented: native copper, Lake Superior; fluorite, 
Cumberland, England; amethyst, Lake Superior; agate, South 
America; agatized wood, Arizona; calcite, Big Rig mines, England; 
aragonite, Styria; malachite, Arizona; lazulite, Chile; rubellite, 
California; titanite, Cumberland, England; and selenite, Utah. 

In addition to this series, smaller groups illustrate pseudomorphs, 
the physical properties of minerals and their crystal forms. There is 
also a case containing several hundred gems and cut stones, and 
adjacent to it, two which show the minerals from which gems are 
obtained. 


In the section devoted to Structural and Dynamical Geology, 
are shown specimens illustrating various geological processes or 
phases of structure. The causes now in operation in the formation, 


51 


alteration and disturbance of rocks are exemplified, as well as evi- 
dences of their action in former periods of the earth’s history. 

These include slabs bearing ripple marks, rain drop impressions, 
glacial grooving's and scorings, specimens showing varieties of erosion, 
faultings, joints and concretions. A comprehensive group of the 
latter with their modifications into septaria, make a prominent fea- 
ture. ‘Typical volcanic and cave products may also be seen here. 

In the section of lithology is contained a very complete collec- 
tion of the varieties of the present day. Fifteen thousand of these 
specimens are of the size, 3x4x1 inch usually adopted for rock speci- 
mens while about 400 larger polished slabs exhibit in greater detail 
the ornamental character of many of the varieties. The collection 
of marbles, in the latter class, is very complete and illustrates almost 
every variety of this stone known to the decorator. ‘The rocks 
are divided into the three classes of eruptive, sedimentary and met- 
amorphic, and under each of these groups are arranged according to 
some well-known system of classification, thus facilitating their 
examination by the student. 


ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 


The collections of the division of economic geology were obtained 
through the efforts of the Chief of the Department of Mines, 
Mining and Metallurgy of the World’s Columbian Exposition from 
exhibits made in that exposition. 

Being designed to illustrate the practical bearings of the 
science of geology, they consist chiefly of specimens which show 
modes of occurrence in nature of the minerals which have eco- 
nomic importance and the localities where they may be obtained. 

In addition to these, however, are many illustrations of the 
processes employed in the extraction and treatment of such min- 
erals or ores and of the application of resulting products to human 
.arts and industries. 

While these ultimate products may seem to ‘have little rela- 
tion to geology, the fact that they are the ends sought by the 
application of its principles entitles-them to a place in the series. 
Moreover, as denominators of groups, they furnish the simplest 
and most readily understood basis of classification. 

The following are the groups into which the collection is 
divided, those mentioned together being found in one hall:—Marble 
and decorative stones; building stones; coal of the United States; 


52 


carbon minerals; petroleum; platinum, gold, silver and lead; copper; 
iron, zinc, tin, nickel, mercury, antimony and manganese; fictile 


materials; non-metallic minerals of use in the arts; mineral sta- 
tistics. 


The groups of marbles and decorative stones contain varieties 
of marble from Norway, Greece and Italy, verde antique marble 
from several localities, chiefly California, sandstone from Ohio and 
Indiana, red slate from New York, and others. 

Under the head of building stone are shown about 200 four-inch 
cubes of stone from various quarries of the United States all showing 
on each of the six surfaces a different style of rock finish. Other 
larger blocks and pillars from important quarries illustrate their 
products. One case is devoted to the building stones of Mexico of 
which the Museum possesses a good representation, and another of 
varieties of artificial stone. 

The collection of coals of the United States contains specimens of 
coal from every developed coal field of the United States. These are 
shown in connection with a large plate glass map, on which the 
fields are represented and which bears numbers corresponding to 
those on the specimens, thus indicating the locality from which each 
was obtained. 

The group of carbon minerals contains representatives of the 
different forms of carbon, fromdiamond and graphite to asphaltum. 
The different varieties of coal from all parts of the world are well 
represented, also coal seams, fossils of the coal measures, etc. The 
collection of native asphalts is especially large and complete, as is 
also one illustrating the uses of asphaltum. 

Under the group petroleum, are shown specimens of crude pe- 
troleum from every oil well in the United States and of the sands 
from which these are obtained. A large chart and several sets of 
borings show the geological character of the strata which produce 
petroleum. 

The processes and products of refining are fully illustrated as 
well as the applications of these to various arts and industries, 

The group platinum, gold, silver and lead, as has been inti- 
mated, is devoted chiefly to ores of those metals but processes of ex- 
traction and applications of the products are also illustrated. 

Under the ores of each metalare shown first, type specimens of the 
minerals which enter into its ores, arranged in order of their richness; 
and second, the ores of different localities, placed in geograph. 
ical order, passing eastward from California. 

The collection of platinum ores and concentrates is parcicularly 
representative, embracing as it does a specimen from almost every 


53 


known locality where that metal is found, and excellent illustrations 
of the processes of concentration carried on at the Russian mines. 
The gold ores include a large number of specimens of gold-bearing 
quartz from various localities in California, of the telluride and pyrite 
ores of Colorado, of Mexican and Brazilian ores, a complete series of 
the Dolgelly, North Wales, ores and others. A series of gold 
nuggets having an aggregate weight of 133 ounces, from the placer 
mines of the State of Washington form a part of this collection, and 
there is also shown a complete series of gold alloys. 


The ores of silver are represented by specimens from. the mines 
of Nevada, Colorado, Mexico, New Granada, and New South Wales, 
with other localities in less degree. 


The localities producing lead ores represented are chiefly Colo- 
rado, Wisconsin, Illinois, British Columbia, Mexico, Great Britain, 
Germany, Spain and Greece. The collections of British and German 
ores are particularly complete and attractive, the character of the as- 
sociated rocks and minerals being fully exemplified. 


The arrangement of the collections of the group, copper, iron, 
zinc, etc., is made upon a plan similar to that already described for 
platinum, gold, etc. As examples of copper ores are shown those of 
California, Colorado, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Vermont, South 
America, Germany, Greece, New South Wales and an especially 
large representation of those of New Mexico and Arizona. One com- 
plete series from the Copper Queen mines of Bisbee, Arizona, shows 
the rocks and ores found at each of the different levels of the mines. 
Different methods of extracting copper and some of the varied uses 
of the metal are also fully illustrated. 


The zine ores shown are chiefly those of Missouri, Wisconsin, 
Great Britain, Germany, Spain and Greece. The series of German 
ores is especially instructive as showing the mode of deposition of 
the blendes and the minerals associated with them. ‘The ores of 
Greece are of interest on account of their beauty and purity. A 
series, as yet incomplete, shows steps in the process of reduction of 
zinc. 


Many of the important iron mines of the United States are rep- 
resented by specimens in the collection under that head, those of Vir- 
ginia and Michigan being most fully exemplified. Among foreign 
iron ores are shown a complete series from Russia and miscellaneous 
specimens from Great Britain, Germany, France, Greece and New 
South Wales. 


Illustrations are given of various types of blast furnaces and of 
processes of reducing iron ores. 


54. 


Without describing in detail the collections which illustrate the 
other metals, mention should be made of the complete series of tin 
ores from the North Dakota and Cornwall, England, mines; of the 
complete series of mercury ores and associated rocks from New 
Almaden, California; of the ores and concentrates of the same metal 
from Spain, and of the manganese ores of Arkansas and New South 
Wales. 

The group of fictile materials contains chiefly representative 
specimens of clays of different localities, both domestic and foreign, 
and illustrations of the uses of these in the making of stone ware, 
tiles, terra cotta, fire brick and assayer’s apparatus. A series as yet 
incomplete illustrates mineral paints in their many modes of occur- 
rence. 

The non-metallic minerals of use in the arts include a series 
showing specimens of crude asbestos from almost every known lo- 
cality and illustrations of the uses of asbestos in various manufactured 
articles; a collection of varieties of Florida, South Carolina and Cana- 
dian phosphates; varieties of salt from different parts of the world; 
sulphur from several localities; specimens of mica, fluor-spar, pyrite, 
selenite, etc., all of which have industrial application. 

The chief feature of the collection illustrating mineral statistics 
is a column made up of cubes of different minerals, the volume of 
each of which isthe output of that mineral by the mines of the United 
States for each second of time for the year 1892. This is supple- 
mented for successive years by exhibition of the charts published by 
the U. S. Geological Survey which shows the mining statistics of 
those years. 

In the laboratory of the department, tests of minerals and ores 
are made and a type series of blowpipe tests are shown. 

Here also are exhibited sketches enlarged from wood cuts in De 
Re Metallica which have historical interest as showing the methods of 
mining and metallurgy in usein the sixteenth century. 


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THE WEPAREMENT-OF BOTANY: 


Upon careful consideration of the mass of material comprising 
the collections in botany and forestry the Director decided that 
the galleries of the building would furnish the best light and most 
advantageous position for the riches generously donated for this de- 
partment of natural history. 

On the first of February the installation began. The plan de- 
cided upon was that the arrangement should be by countries and they 
in geographic sequence. The installation commenced in the south-east 
corner of the south court gallery, and extended to the right through 
the galleries of the four courts; the sequence of the countrie; 
represented being Russia, Corea, British India, Ceylon, Johore, 
Siam, Turkey, Spain, and Australia; then beginning at the Straits 
of Magellan, Argentine, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Equador, 
Venezuela, British Guiana, Curacao, Trinidad, Colombia, Gua- 
temala, Mexico, United States, British America and Alaska, the col- 
lections of Alaska ending where Russia began. 

The Imperial Commissioners of Japan having donated to the 
Museum all of their cases in the Manufactures Building, these 
were reconstructed by forming two cases out of three of the orig- 
inals, thus casing the entire galleries uniformly from this donation 
alone. The special aim of the installation has been to insure scien- 
tific arrangement, although when possible without detriment to the 
. natural sequence of species, an attempt has been made at sufficient 
display to please and attract the general visitor. The objects installed 
from all countries were taken with the labels as placed upon them dur- 
ing their exhibition at the Exposition. Sufficient time has not yet 
elapsed to study into the correctness of these identifications. This 
is especially to be remembered by all who desire to enter into a 
discriminative study of the collections as they are now installed. 


57 


Full identification of all specimens in this department is now pro- 
ceeding, and the labeling will be corrected from time to time until 
scientific accuracy shall be attained. 

A number of special collections not accreditable to any special 
country were donated or have been formed. These are placed 
around the central rotunda upon the transept gallery floors. 

In order that some idea may be gained of the character and value 
of the donations acquired for this department, description will follow 


of the specimens in gross of each country. 


Russia donated‘a collection of tobacco comprising the original 
natural species (Vzco¢iana rustica) from which most of the finer culti- 
vated forms have sprung. The balance of the specimens are varieties 
of the form known as ‘‘ Turkish leaf” illustrating the growth of this 
form in different sections of the country. These are installed in the 
first case. The second case contains a fine collection of dressed and 
undressed flax, together with the plants from which the forms were 
obtained. Following this isa complete collection of products of the 
linden, or lime tree (77a parviflora), from the last layers of which 
the Russian peasant derives the major portion of his household ap- 
purtenances. Among the specimens will be found the natural bark 
and fiber both crude and macreated, bags, mattings, ropes, harness, 
shoes, trunks, etc., etc. Following this is installed twenty-one logs 
and twenty-three planks of the principal construction timbers of 
Russia and in the end case of the section, the products of the distilla- 
tion of refuse pine. Within the section are arranged seven cases in 
which are installed samples of the cereals and legumes, being prob- 
ably as complete a collection of the species and varieties of the agri- 
cultural seeds of Russia as was ever brought to this country. 


Following this collection is a case devoted to the few timbers and 
other products exhibited from the peninsula of Corea. It might be 
remarked that the timbers of Corea bear strong resemblance to, and 
in many cases are of the same species as those of Japan. Among 
the other products of Corea here displayed, the most interest lies in 
the dried persimmons and dates, and in the silvernuts and lotus seed. 

Japan gave to this department her complete display from the 
Forestry Building, as well as a full set of her agricultural products 
from the Agricultural Building. Her section as installed, is sur- 
rounded by a reconstruction of her bamboo pavilion from the For- 
estry Building, and contains a very complete exposition of her tim- 
bers, ornamental woods, teas, rices, and minor products. The first 
case in the section contains the useful fibers of Japan, the tobaccos, 
and fifty varieties of tea. The second case contains thirty species 
of insects injurious to the useful plants of that country, This 


58 


beautiful and highly scientific collection, showing the successive 
phases of insect development, also the injury caused by them 
to the plants upon which they prey, was prepared for exhibit in the 
Japanese section at the Exposition, but, on account of lack of space, 
was not unpacked. The collection of timbers and small woods is very 
complete indeed, comprising over eighty species, all of which are 
represented both by the wood and the bark, and in most instances 
the botanical features are also illustrated by excellent colored plates 
from a work now in progress of publication in that country upon the 
sylva of Japan. The series is very comprehensive and contains also 
many specimens representing the utilization of the wood. Large 
paintings accompany the collection showing timber operations in 
Japan. These are particularly interesting on account of the simi- 
larity they bear to those carried on in thiscountry. Although origin- 
ally no bamboos grew upon the islands of the Japanese Archipelago a 
collection of fourteen varieties, excellent examples, of great 
strength and beauty, will be found in this section. The cultivation 
of the bamboo has been a special study among the Japanese who 
by careful horticultural processes have brought forth these useful 
products. Among the various minor products of the Islands, the col- 
lection comprises various starches, charcoals, camphor, lacquer, 
edible mushrooms, and many otherimportant products. The wood pulp 
and wood acid industries are also well represented. The rices, 
cereals, legumes, tan barks, fibrous barks and dye stuffs in the collec- 
tion deserve special mention. Among the ornamental woods great in- 
terest lies in the standard of Toko posts, natural trunks of ornamental 
trees, either denuded of their bark or with the bark intact used in 
the construction of the Toko or ornamental place of honor in 
the Japanese parlor where ceremonial tea is served. This place is 
dear to the heart of the Japanese hostess, andis generally furnished 
in the height of Japanese neatness and artistic taste. These posts 
support a canopy, and are always of some natural unhewn wood, 
often decorticated, or partially so. The woods chosen for Toko posts 
are generally those of high commercial value or especial rarity. 


The next section, that of British India, contains a large number of 
specimens of the minor products of the country, including dyes, 
lacs, starches, oils, gums, etc., etc. The woods of the country are ex- 
cellently represented by over one hundred species arranged against 
the walls of the section. A beautifully carved padouk doorway is 
flanked on each side by carved blackwood jardinieres. Among the 
specimens of the principal woods of the country are to be found log 
sections with and without bark, satinwood, sandalwood, teak, 
blackwood, and others of great interest. <A single piece of padouk 


59 


board cut ina circle six feet eight inches in diameter, intended for 
a table top, is mounted in the center of the section. 


The next country in sequence, Siam, is represented by seventy- 
_ two specimens of her commercial woods and many examples of 
starches, oils, gums, dyes, etc., etc. 


Johore follows with two hundred and twenty-seven specimens of 
her woods with bark intact, in excellent form for study, together with 
many specimens of the more commercial timbers in board shape, and 
a large collection of the different varieties of rattan which form so 
great a portion of her commerce. 


In the west court may be found among the gifts from Equador 
fine examples of her woods represented by two hundred specimens, 
and her economic forest products and agricultural grains by over one 
hundred specimens. 

The next installation is that of the United States of Colombia 
with seventy specimens of woods and nearly one hundred peculiar pro- 
ducts of the forests of that country, including gums, resins, oils, and 
other tree products. 

In the Venezuelan section will be found a most excellent series of 
typical specimens illustrating their timbers, and in the cases a fine set 
of their fibers, including cottons, barks, cereals and medicinal plants. 

The British Guiana section is rich in the timbers of that country 
as well as in the starches, oils and other economic products. 

Trinidad contributes forty-one fine specimens of the woods of 
the island to the wealth of specimens in the forestry section of this 
department, and many specimens of economic plants, gums and 
cereals. 

Curacao contributed sixty-seven fine specimens of her woods all 
retaining the bark; wax replicas of her fruits, and numerous speci- 
mens illustrating other economic products of her vegetable wealth. 

In Guatemala, the next section, is installed a complete series 
of the timber trees of that country,represented by three hundred and 
fifty specimens and a large number of fibers, including cottons, 
together with a full representation of her cereals, legumes, gums, 
resins, chicle and rubber. 

In the Jamaica section, the installation of one hundred and thirty 
beautiful specimens of her woods brings this island into special prom- 
inence. ‘These woods all retain their natural bark. The cases in 
this section illustrate through her generous donation the various 
starches, oils, gums, resins, cereals and other products. 

The Mexican section well illustrates the remarkable vegetable 
wealth of that country. Here will be found installed a very complete 
set of maguey (¢x¢/e) fibers, while the cottons are also excellently 


60 


represented. A very large and complete collection of the medicinal 
plants and seeds of the country is contained in five large cases, and 
a full set of the timbers, tan barks, gums, resins, etc; a collection 
which represents all of the principal states of the country. 

In the order of the installation this completes the galleries of the 
west court. Passing thence to the right in the north court will be found 
installed principally the collections ‘‘loaned”’ to this institution by 
the Government of the United States; exhibits comprising that of 
tobacco and cotton from the Agricultural Building, fibers and fiber 
yielding plants, and a nearly complete representation of the sylva of 
the United States, from the Government Building, with many fine 
series presenting the results of timber tests as made by the Section 
of Forestry, Department of Agriculture. In this court are also 
installed a number of standards containing types of herbaceous plants 
and specimens representing various forms of marine vegetable life. 

The galleries of the south court contain at present a miscellan- 
eous installation of*peculiar timber specimens either excessive in 
size, beautiful in makings, or of rare occurrence, that were contrib- 
uted to the collections of this department by the states of Kentucky, 
Washington, Oregon, Louisiana, Virginia and California, and a num- 
der of full trunks and planks of the four principal commercial tim- 
ber trees of Alaska. These galleries, now temporarily occupied by 
this miscellaneous collection, are reserved for a complete forestry 
and economic plant collection of North America, to be specially 
made by this department. The various home forestry collections 
exhibited at the Exposition which were obtainable by the Museum 
were mostly of a more or less heterogeneous character as to shape 
and size, and of an ephemeral nature as they were gathered while 
the sap was in the pores of the wood and had commenced to decay 
in large part before the end of the Fair. For these reasons a few 
especially fine or rare specimens only were retained. 


On the east side of the south court is installed a complete set of 
indigenous and cultivated trees of the State of Illinois represented 
in trunk form showing the grain of the wood. This collection is sup- 
plemented by a case of the agricultural grains of the state. 


Hung upon the walls of the central rotunda is a set of large 
frames containing the principal genera of North American plants 
arranged in their natural order. 

A case placed at the beginning of the north court gallery con- 
tains a very complete and scientific set of the insects injurious to the 
timbers of Sweden with sections of wood showing their destructive 
action. Oposite this collection is a case containing a complete rep- 
resentation of specimens of the manufacture of household imple- 


61 


ments from wood pulp. Next to this case in the east court is installed 
a similar one containing specimens illustrative of the manufacture of 
paper from wood. On the transept floor of the north court three 
cases are placed—one containing marine alge, the second a very 
full collection of North American lichens, the third a representative 
set of North American mosses. These cases are intended to illus- 
trate some of the lower forms of vegetable life. At the end of the 
east court is installed a large case showing specimens of a complete 
set of cereal foods of North America. On the transept floor of the 
south court a case is placed in which is also partly installed a set of 
replicas of tropical fruits together with various products that are 
gained from them. 

At the beginning of the south court gallery is placed a case con- 
taining a set of the products of the Cork Oak (Quercus Suber) with 
many sections of the bark showing the effect of peeling. Accom- 
panying this case is a complete peeling of a whole trunk and its three 
branches, a valuable example of dexterous decorations. 

It is the intention of this department, in time, to fill the galler- 
ies of this east court entirely with a representative collection of the 
sylva of the United States, both commercial and non-commercial, 
together with as complete a collection as possible of all the economic 
plants of North America. 

These collections complete two sides of the south court gallery. 
Passing into the west court, the first case is devoted to the plant 
economics of Siam. Many curious and noteworthy products are well 
represented. 

From Siam westward no products were gained east of Turkey, 
whose commissioners donated a fine set of natural woods, which, even 
a casual observer will note, bear a striking resemblance to those of 
our country. ) 

Spain follows with forty-six examples of her natural timbers, 
many natural fibers and tan barks, and especially interesting is a 
large comparative collection of her olive oils representing the product 
of the various provinces. 

In the order of installation, Liberia follows with a case of various 
minor products, notable among which are vegetable ivory, cam wood, 
India rubber, calabar-bean and various cereals and legumes now cul- 
tivated by this new civilization. 

The New South Wales collection is particularly interesting in 
the size and beauty of the timbers exhibited. The most important 
came in immense timbers of fine grain and excellent quality. The 
tan barks and other minor products have also a place in this col- 
lection. 


Probably one of the finest collections ever taken out of Paraguay 
forms the next installation. Thetimbers, one hundred and thirty-two 
species in all, are represented by large log sections having one face 
dressed, while acomplete set of tan and dye barks, one hundred and 
seventeen in all, are included; a large number of charcoal and many 
fiber producing plants show well her resources in minor products. A 
very complete collection of two hundred and thirty-four medicinal 
plants fill the cases of the three sections devoted to this country. An 
exposition of her yeréa fills one of the cases. 

Any visitor to the Exposition who noted the wealth of materials 
that Brazil contributed to increase the interest of the Forestry, Agri- 
cultural and Manufactures Buildings, will recognize the large collec- 
tions in all these departments that go toward filling the five sec- 
tions devoted to the display of her natural products. In timbers 
alone, morethan a thousand specimens were donated to us, many 
of which are not yet prepared for installation, while of oils, gums, 
resins, fibers, fruits, seeds, grains, coffee, etc., an‘ almost complete 
representation may be found in the cases of the sections devoted to 
this country. Each state of Brazil contributed from her forests 
toward this wealth of specimens. Medicinal plants are also excel- 
lently represented by over two hundred specimens, 


63 


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LHE-DEPARTMENT OF ZOOLOGY, 


This Department includes all the classes of animals except that of 
the birds. For this material six large halls of the museum building 
have been set apart. These halls bear the numbers nineteen, twenty, 
twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four, and twenty-five. In several 
of them new cases of the most modern style will soon be built, 
and these will show the materials to be exhibited to the best 
advantage, 

One of the most interesting and valuable of the zoological collec- 
tions is that of the Coelenterata, a group which includes the jelly- 
fishes, the hydroids, the sea-anemones, and the corals. Of the corals 
there are about 300 species. Many of these are represented by from 
two to ten examples. The collection includes a number of specimens 
which have served as types of new species. Many of the specimens 
are large and fine, and the collection gives a fair impression of the 
great variety of form, structure, coloration, and luxuriance of growth 
of these ‘‘ flowersof the sea.” Accompanying the collection of corals 
isa number of glass models which show, on an enlarged scale, the 
structure of the corals and especially that of the animals whose 
united skeletons form the solid mass. Several of the more interest- 
ing of the corals, especially those which do not secrete a firm skele- 
eton, are preserved in alcohol. Glass models also show the form and 
structure of some of the jelly-fishes, the Portuguese man-of-war, etc. 

The subkingdom of animals known as the Echinodermata in- 
cludes such animals as the crinoids, the brittle stars, the starfishes, 
the sea-urchins, and the sea-cucumbers. This is represented by about 
300 species and something over a thousand specimens. The greater 
number of these are prepared dry, but there are many preserved in 
alcohol, especially specimens of the holothurians and crinoids. The 
sea-urchins are shown both with and without their armour of spines; 
and some are divided so as to show the internal surface and the den- 
tal apparatus. The collection is sufficiently large and varied to give 


65 


the observer a conception of the structure and the strange and vari- 
ous forms of these creatures, many of which present an appearance 
wholly different from that of any other group of animals. 

The subkingdom of worms is very indifferently shown in the mu- 
seum collections. The same is true of both the bryozoa and the 
brachiopoda, although there are representatives of both groups. 

The class of crustacea is represented in the Museum by about 
225 species, sixty genera, and fifteen families. Many of the speci- 
mens belong to the larger and more strangely ee forms, and the 
collection, so far as it goes, is valuable. 

Insects are represented by an exhibition collection of the more 
conspicuous of the butterflies and moths. 


The mollusks are arranged in Hall 25. The specimens are 
mounted on blocks of wood and are contained in flat cases, which 
furnish about 1,260 square feet of space. There are now present 
about 3,000 species. These are arranged in sets, so as to show 
age, manner of development, and amount of variation; classes, 
orders and families are indicated by printed labels, which 
state the principal characters of each group. ‘The collection was 
_ intended to be a representation of the molluskan subkingdom; and, 
as far as possible, species typical of the various groups have been 
included. About two-thirds of the sections and valid subgenera are 
shown. A large proportion of the species in the collection are rep- 
resented by very fine specimens, while a considerable number, espec- 
ially those devoid of shells, are preserved in alcohol. This includes 
more than twenty species of cephalopods, and among these is an 
unusually perfect specimen of the pearly nautilus. There are also 
glass models, made by Blaschka of Dresden, which illustrate some of 
the species and their anatomy. 

The classes of vertebrates are very unequally represented; of 
the fishes, there are at present but few in the collection and these 
are stuffed and mounted. These include sharks, rays, the sword- 
fish, etc. There are also about seventy casts of the food-fishes of 
Norway, of life size and painted so as to display their natural and 
often brilliant colors. These casts formed a part of the Norwegian 
exhibit at the Columbian Exposition. 

Of reptiles there are about sixty species in the cases. Most of them 
are the larger and more conspicuous forms, such as the gavial, cay- 
man, alligator, pythons, large tortoises, and some of the larger lizards. 

The collection of mammals occupies. Hall 20. As in the 
case of the other groups of animals, the effort has been to bring 
together specimens that would illustrate the whole of this important 
class. Accordingly, there are included representatives of all the liv- 


66 


ing orders of mammals. No attempt has been made so far to illus- 
trate the fauna of any particular region of the globe; and accordingly, 
the great majority of species are wanting. 

Among the more interesting of the species in the collections of 
mammals are, a young gorilla and some of the other man-like apes, a 
number of species of lemurs, species of the family of cats, civets, 
hyzenas, the panda, bears, seals, the walrus, the Malayan tapir, the 
zebra, bison,the musk-ox, the Rocky mountain sheep and goat, giraffe, 
a number of genera of the insectivora, fruit-eating bats, manatee, 
dugong, the ant-eaters, armadillos, sloths, a considerable number of 
Australian marsupials, the echidna, and the platypus. 

The osteological collection occupies one hall. It includes repre- 
sentatives of thirty-three orders of vertebrates, 149 families, and 
225 species. Nearly as many genera as species are shown. The 
skeletons of the mammals and birds form the greater portion of 
the collection, but there are twenty skeletons of reptiles (sixteen 
families), ten of amphibians (seven families), and fourteen of fishes 
(fourteen families.) Among the more interesting and conspicuous 
of the skeletons are those of the larger monkeys, lion, tiger, hyzena, 
grizzly bear, polar bear, sea-lion, walrus, sperm whale, right whale, 
manatee, dugong, rhinocerus, hipoppotamus, giraffe, elephant, 
many rodents, marsupials, echidna, platypus, the golden eagle, 
hornbill, carnivorous parrot, owl-parrot, ostrich, emu, apteryx, and 
flamingo. 

The museum has recently purchased of Ward, of London, and of 
Prof. Steere, from his Philippine collection, a number of skins and 
skulls as well as mounted specimens that will materially strengthen 
the mammal collection, 


THE DEPARTMENT OF ORNITHOLOGY. 


The Department of Ornithology has for its present quarters, 
Hall 26, which is occupied as an exhibition room for the moun- 
ted birds, and a gallery six feet in width around the walls of Hall 
27, besides one small ante room in the main south court. 

The mounted collection, as it stands to day, is essentially one 
of comparative ornithology, in which the bird fauna of the world is 
represented by some 650 species, typifying the eight principal orders 
of the class, as set forth, or characterized, by G. R. Gray in his hand 
list of birds. Examples in ninety odd families are presented for 
comparison. : 

In a collection so limited as to numbers and species it is, of 
course, impossible to find the special form of any particular area or 
region adequately shown. Consequently it will not surprise those 
conversant with such matters that our North American bird life is 
only very meagerly displayed by some 150 species out of a possible 
825. 

Among the treasures of which the Museum can, however, boast 
is an excellent pair of the now (probably) extinct Labrador duck 
(Camptolaimus Labradorius). 

The gallery in Hall 27 is occupied by ‘bird cans’ containing the 
bulk of the ‘Cory collection’ of West Indian birds. Also the 
excellent ornithological library, formerly the property of C. B. Cory. 

The ‘Cory collection’ is probably without a rivalin West Indian 
material. But while in its formation special attention was bestowed 
on the West Indies, yet the American fauna as a whole was not neg- 
lected and material is abundant for serious and profitable study and 
investigation in any department of American ornithology. 


63 


The collection to-day is neatly and carefully arranged in 130 
large cans, chests and cases, that are made practically moth and dust 
proof. 

In addititon to the Cory collection the study series of skins was 
enriched during the year by the acquisition, through gifts, and by 
purchases of several small lots of North American birds from Mr. H. 
K. Coale, of Chicago. Also by gift from the Commissioners of the 
Exposition from the Argentine Republic, an interesting collection 
of South American birds. Recently Mr. Frank Vincent, Commis- 
sioner of the Exposition from Trinidad, presented a lot of mounted 
birds from the Island of Trinidad. 

The Department has sent a representative to the Island of San 
Domingo to make explorations in the southern and interior part of 
that now little known land, while the Curator is at work in Flerida. 


68 


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THE DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY. 


Anthropology, covering a wide field in the interests of the race 
and furnishing a vast range of materials available for museum pur- 
poses, naturally becomes a prominent feature in the young Museum. 
The founders were fortunate beyond precedent in securing at the 
outset extensive and important collections representing many widely 
separated portions of the world. The materials relating to Anthro- 
pology in its widest sense are not assembled under a single head, but 
are separated into two departments. During the Exposition a great 
group of exhibits had been brought together within the Department 
of Transportation to illustrate the evolution of the carrying industry, 
beginning with its inception in remote times and extending down to 
the present day. These exhibits when transferred to the Museum 
building were largely augmented by collections from other depart- 
ments. All of this material, together with a number of exhibits 
illustrating other industries of especial importance to civilized man, 
including ceramics, the textileart, the leather industry, jewelry, etc., 
were brought together in a Department of Industries, leaving to the 
Department of Anthropology such of the field as relates to compara- 
tive primitive culture, besides such of the phenomena of higher 
culture as have little direct bearing on the material interests of civil- 
ized peoples. Belonging to this department are alsothe psychicaland 
physical laboratories and collections of cranic casts, etc., illustrating 
the physical characteristics of man. Another limitation of the de- 
partment not yet fully defined, may be referred to in this place. The 
fine arts proper and especially painting and sculpture, are not at 
present made a feature of the exhibits, although their beginnings 
among all primitive peoples are necessarily included. It may in 
time be found essential to an idealcompleteness of the department to 
extend the limits to include more fully the systematic presentation of 
all the phenomena of art, although works of painting and sculpture 


(| 


and allied arts of taste, illustrated by extensive collections, are prop- 
erly assembled in Art Museums, where they serve a practical purpose 
of great importance, affording necessary facilities for the study of art. 


The separation of an esthetic group from the great body of an- 
thropologic materials is exactly paralelled by that of the segeregation 
of an industrial department. The one has, or should have, in view 
the material, industrial benefit of the race, present and future, bring- 
ing together such illustrations of past and present progress as will 
point the way to higher development; the other comprehends the 
eesthetic in material form and has functions of the greatest possible 
moment to the progress of enlightenment. While it is necessary 
that these departments be built up as great practical schools, they 
should not so absorb or separate any single part of the whole field of 
anthropology thatthe general effect is lost. The great function of 
an anthropologic museum or museum department, however subdi- 
vided, is to place illustrations of man’s works, and, to acertain extent, 
of man himself in such relations that all possible lines of progress may 
be discovered and utilized,—that men may learn every secret of de- 
velopment, every law of progress, so thoroughly that the knowledge 
can be utilized intelligently in the making of future history. The 
institution that can bring together this department in all its com- 
pleteness, together with the departments of Nature-Botany, Zoology 
and Mineralogy, representing that upon which progress feeds, in the 
most thoroughly connected view is the grandest possible institution 
that man can conceive. 


It will be impossible to present in this place a complete account 
of the various collections now assembled in this department. Much 
of the materials acquired through the Exposition will no doubt, be 
fully described in the various reports of officers, exhibitors and judges, 
and it is expected that, from time to time, bulletins, memoirs, etc., 
will be issued by the Museum, giving exhaustive accounts of the 
more important collections in each department. 

The collections may be classified as to their immediate origin 
under the following heads: First, those acquired by the Department 
of Ethnology of the Exposition, by collection, purchase and gift 
and transferred to the Museum at the close of the Fair; and second, 
those acquired by the Museum directly, by collection, purchase and 
gift during the period of twelve months intervening between its 
inception and the present date. Aside from these resources the 
presence of a number of loan collections adds to the volume of 
exhibits. 


Among collections of exceptional importance are: The collec- 
tion from the Haida Indians, North Pacific coast, by James Deans; 
donated by the department of ethnology, W. C. E. Archeological 
collection from the Hopewell group of Mounds, Ross county, Ohio, 
made by Warren K. Moorhead; donated by the department of eth- 
nology, W. C. E. Archeological collection from New Jersey, made by 
Ernest Volk; donated by the department of ethnology, W. C. E. 
Collection of casts and ruins of Yucatan, made by E. H. Thompson; 
donated by the department of ethnology, W. C. E. Archeological 
collection from Ancon, Peru, made by Geo. A. Dorsey; donated by 
the department of ethnology, W.C. E. Collection from Bella Coola 
Island, Canada, made by Phillip Jacobson; donated by the depart- 
ment of ethnology, W. C. E. 

The following purchases are especially of great extent and value: 
Collection from the inhabitants of Yucon Valley, made by Marcus O. 
Cherry; donated by the department of ethnology, W. C. E. Arch- 
eological collections from the Southern States, purchased of C. W. 
Riggs, Collection of gold and silver ornaments and other specimens, 
purchased from Gen. Manuel Floves. Ethnological collection from 
Paraguay, purchased of- Dr, Emil Hassler. Archeological collection 
from Wisconsin, purchased of Walter C. and Edward T. Wyman. 
Collection of gold jewelry from Colombia, S. A., purchased of the 
Columbian Commission, W. C. E. Collection of Irish antiquities, 
purchased of Edmund Johnson. 

The grouping at the present time is very considerably changed 
from that of the opening day, June 2nd, 1894, and changes are still 
going on as installation is improved and new collections are added. 
A sketch of the present placement may well be given here. The 
floor space occupied approximates 80,000 square feet and includes 
fifteen halls and most of three great courts. It is estimated there are 
48,000 entries for the catalogue now under preparation in this depart- 
ment. 

SOUTH COURT—HALL OF ABORIGINAL AMERICAN SCULPTURE. 

This court is occupied by a great series of casts of Central 
American sculptures, and a number of similar exhibits from Mexico 
and Peru. ‘There are also four imposing totem poles or heraldic 
columns from the North westCoast tribes, anda series of photographs 
representing Central American sculptures and architectural remains. 

EAST COURT. 

This court is at present largely occupied by collections illustrat- 
ing the archeology of North America. In two instances the alcoves 
which surround the court are filled with exhibits germane to the halls 
for which they serve as lobbies; thus alcove 82 contains collections: 


73 


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relating to the archeology of Egypt, and alcove 93 is occupied by 

works of the Northwest Coast tribes. A group of boats, mainly per- 

taining to primitive peoples, is installed in the court near the west 

end and it is expected that in the near future these and the several 

unclassified exhibits, now occupying the east end of the court, will 

give way to the Viking Ship and the Columbus Caravel ‘‘Santa Maria.” 
NORTH COURT. 

The following rather miscellaneous exhibits occupy the north 
court: A model of the new Reichstag, or Parliament House, at 
Berlin, Germany; a collection of musical instruments, filling five 
cases; a collection of antique objects of bronze and glass from various 
localities in Southern Europe, filling five cases, and three cases of re- 
productions of Irish antiquities. In alcove 118 is the nucleus ofa 
collection intended to illustrate the development of printing; alcove 
122 contains the Gunning loan collection of idols, etc., and alcoves 123 
and 124 are occupied by casts of Assyrian antiquities forming a part 
of the collection installed in the adjoining Hall 2. 

THE HALLS, 

Hall 2 contains the Berlin collection of plaster casts of Chaldzeo- 
Assyrian antiquities. 

Hall 3 is occupied by the collection of Egyptian antiquities. 

Hall 4 is devoted to much diversified collections of ethnogra- 
phic material from the Pacific Islands. 

Hall 5 contains Siberian, Japanese, Javanese, Singalese and East 
Indian materials. 

Hall 6 has an extensive series of ethnologic exhibits from Africa. 

Hall 7 is occupied by the contents of a Chinese Joss House or 
temple, consisting in the main of gaudily dressed paper mache figures 
forming religious tableaux. 

Halls 10 and 11 contain the larger part of the Eskimo material 
representing North Greenland, Alaska, and to a limited extent, East- 
ern Siberia. 

Halls r2 and 13 are filled with a fine assemblage of ethnologic 
specimens from the Northwest Coast. 

Halls 14 and 15 contain extensive collections of antiquities from 
Peru, Colombia and other South American countries. 


Halls 16 and 17 are occupied mainly by ethnologic collections 
from South America including superb materials from Paraguay 
and British Guiana, 

Hall 18, Ayer hall; in this fine hall is placed the great collection of 
North American ethnologic material presented by Mr. Edward E, Ayer. 

The physicallaboratory and collections illustrating the physical 
character of the race together with the apparatus of the psycholog- 
ical laboratory are installed in the gallery of the East Court occupy- 
ing the south and east sides. 


79 


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PLAN OF INDUSTRIAL ART Sections, LipRARY, 


THE DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL ARTS. 


The collections in the Department of Industrial Arts have been 
arranged to show as far as possible the more important steps which 
have led to improvement in handiwork, or progress in the invention 
of those implements, machines, and processes which have proved to 
be important factors in the world’s material development. 


TEXTILE INDUSTRIES. 


It is intended to show in the section of Textile Industries the be- 
ginnings and development of the art of weaving and spinning. 

One hall of this section has been set aside for the installation of 
such old looms as can be obtained and models of the more modern 
types together with the appliances used by uncivilized peoples. Suf- 
ficient material has been obtained and is now being installed to justify 
the belief that the collections when properly arranged will be of much 
interest and instruction to visitors and students. 

The objects of greatest interest in Hall 31 are two old looms 
—one constructed and used on the Kentucky frontier during the 
last century, with a well preserved specimen of the weaving in 
process of being made, and one of the first, if not the first, Jac- 
quard loom used in America for the manufacture of what is known 
now as ingrain carpet. * These looms are in excellent condition, there 
being nothing missing or any modern addition made to them, 


V7 


In a half completed condition there is an example of what the 
Jacquard loom has done in the way of weaving carpet—an excellent 
specimen in the way of construction—being of old Germantour yarn. 


There is also a model of a Japanese hand loom such as is used 
to-day for the weaving of silk tapestries, also a small pattern in many 
hues partly woven, and a metal model of the mechanical portions 
of a Jacquard loom of the present day. 


Uncivilized races of North, South and Central America have 
furnished a few very interesting specimens of their handiwork in the 
construction of looms and the material thereon. 


There is to be found in this hall a well arranged collection of 
various specimens of flax, hemp and jute and the processes under 
which these products are treated before being placed upon the market 
in a manufactured state. 


In an adjoining hall will be found one exceedingly interesting 
specimen of antique weaving, a Persian altar rug, composed of 
twelve individual prayer rugs joined deftly and with considerable 
effect. This rug is of unknown age, but the donor states that it is 
several hundred years old. Two of its colorings—a most beautiful 
velvet green and a blue—resembling shades of malachite, are re- 
markably rich. 


Of modern weaving there is an exceptionally valuable Japanese 
tapestry—Tsuzure Nishiki—representing the religious rites of the 
famous Nikko Temple, the magnificent architecture and the beautiful 
site of which are now widely known and admired. The manufac- 
turers of this tapestry specially deputed an eminent artist to visit the 
temple in person for the purpose of drawing the original picture for 
this fabric, while historical authorities were freely consulted in refer- 
ence to the costumes of those engaged in the religious celebration. In 
size it is 22x13 feet, and the fact that it required four years of skilled 
manipulation of fingers, unaided by any mechanical appliances, bears 
testimony to the wonderful skill of the Japanese people. 


Americans looking forward to the development of the manufac- 
ture of art fabrics in the United States will view with great prideand 
interest an exact counterpart of the celebrated Gobelin tapestry in 
the form of a chair seat. This is the second piece woven on the 
Western Continent; it was made at the factory of Mr. Wm. Baum- 
garten, in Williamsburg, New York. The materials used in the pro- 
duction of this fabric are wholly American. 


The Museum has been fortunate in securing a collection of about 
800 splendid specimens of antique textiles dating from the third cen- 
tury, to and including the eighteenth century, embracing many rich 


78 


designs and coloring of brocades, velvets, damasks, and embroideries 
of many combinations. Also a striking collection of Italian tassels 
of probably the seventeenth century. 

A recent acquisition to the Section of Textile Industries worthy 
of note is the collection of more than eighty well selected specimens 
of Indian fabric, of a brocade pattern. 


GEMS AND JEWELS. 


The collection of gems and precious stones installed in Higin- 
botham Hall is believed to be the most complete collection of its 
kind. It contains nearly every known gem or precious stone, in the 
finest cut examples, in crystals, cleavages or rolled grains, always of 
gem value. 


Many of the objects in the collection are of historical interest and 
world-wide reputation. 


| The collection as a whole illustrates the Oriental, Singalese, Aztec, 
English, German, French and other methods of cutting, polishing 
and engraving gems and precious stones. 


. Among the objects attracting the most attention are: A screen 
“The tinding of Moses” engraved on a thin section of rock crystal 
9.3 inches in diameter believed to be the largest of its kind in 
existence. 

A large pearl casket composed of twenty-six engraved crystal 
stones mounted in jeweled and enameled silver; style of the seven- 
teenth century. 

An engraved diamond by De Vrees of Amsterdam, shown in 
1878 at the Paris Exposition. This, it is said, employed all of the 
engravers’ spare time for five years. 

A ninety-nine (99) and a sixty-six (66) karat yellow sapphire 
(oriental topaz) a fifty-nine (59) karat blue sapphire, also yellow, pink, 
white and other colored sapphires, 

The Hope aquamarine 352 karat and other fine examples of sea- 
green, sea-blue, and other colored beryls. 


79 


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The collection of quartz and quartz cutting is considered 
equal if not superior to any in the world—notably: 


A large crystal sphere from the summit of Mt. Antero, Colorado, 
believed to be the largest crystal ball ever polished. 


A group of crystal balls mounted on a stand of metallic leaves, 
representing fruit and foliage. 

A series of fourteen crystals intended to show the various steps 
in the cutting of a brilliant. 

A cut crystal from Mexico, the finest specimen of aboriginal 
work of this kind ever found in that country. 


A collection of cut amethysts. 

A fine specimen of hydrolite, the bubble, of symetrical shape, 
being two and a half inches in diameter. 

Opals in the native state, also engraved and polished—including 
the famous Sun God opal from the Hope collection said to have been 
known in a Persian temple for three centuries. 

Superb moonstones from Ceylon. 


Two large pearl shells from the west coast of Australia, weigh- 
ing together 151.55-1,000 ounces, 

A collection of cameos and intaglios—exceedingly fine examples 
of the glyptic art, containing many specimens cut previous and subse- 
quent to 500 A. D. Among the stones used are red jasper, cornel- 
ian, onyx, chalcedony, sardonyx and smoky quartz. 


The Tiffany collection of India jewelry forms the most complete 
series ever exhibited; many of the pieces are very old, of rare forms, 
consisting of rings, armlets, bosom ornaments, surah holders, orna- 
ments for the forehead, hair, ear, nose, waist, ankles, upper arms, 

c., together illustrating the remarkable variety of the ornaments 
and of the jewelers’ handicraft practiced in India for more than 
2,000 years. 

This collection is divided into three sections: 


1st. Objects made from pure unalloyed gold, as worn by the 
higher caste only, containing diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, 
pearls, garnets, rock crystals, etc., and embellished with rich red and 
green enamels peculiar to the Indian. 

2nd. Collection of silver jewelry consisting of many large and 
beautifully wrought examples, worn by a lower caste. 

3rd. Base metal jewelry, worn by the lowest caste. 

The gold jewelry is from the cities of Delhi, Bijapore, Gujarat, 
Gwalior, Pajputava, Amritsar, Jeypore, Bndiihe Muttra, Bombay 
and Goa, with some excellent examples of Brahman work, 


81 


This collection also contains two large and handsomely designed 
maces of solid silver which were carried in advance of a maharajah 
by his attendants or on state occasions. Very few maces have ever 
been brought out of India, 


CERAMIC INDUSTRY. 


More to preserve the harmony of the general plans of installa- 
tion in the building than to convey the idea that any particular head- 
way has thus far been made in this very important division of 
Industrial Arts, a brief description of the more important items in 
Hall 33 is given. 3 

The most striking possession is a handsome pair of large royal 
blue Berlin porcelain vases, nine feet high. 

A large porcelain table centerpiece of Limoges ware. 

Several interesting examples of Venetian glass. 


Mexican, Swedish, Central American, Jamaican and Venezuelan 
pottery and earthenware 


Contemporary types of Royal Worcester porcelain; also several 
porcelains from the Japanese Government in plates and small vessels. 

A number of replicas of famous pieces all very faithfully repro- 
duced and of much interest to collectors. 

Among the vases are some admirable contributions from the 
Academy of Tokio, Japan, and from Stockholm. 

A collection of English blue in plates and platters with American 
colonial decorations. 

It should be stated that no effort has been made in the Ceramic 
Hall to other than care for and arrange with some attractiveness the 
material that has found its way naturally to the Museum. But 
this section will receive the attention and assistance it deserves the 
coming year. 


ee ee 


Notr.—A collection that attracted no little attention during the 
Exposition and which is unique in character, is the Tiffany collection 
of skins, embracing dressed samples from all the mammals, birds, 
fishes and reptiles that it has been found possible to employ in the 
arts and industries. The collection was purchased of Tiffany & Co., 
New York,at the close of the Exposition and is installed in alcoves in 
the west court. 


TRANSPORTATION. 


The transportation division of the Field Columbian Museum 
embracing one of the largest divisions of the Department of 
Industrial Arts of the Museum, begins with marine naviga- 
tion. In this collection is represented a series of original boats 
and models illustrating the various methods of propulsion; 
towing by men and beast, by pole, oar, sail and steam, the 
exhibit being arranged in order of development from the floating 
log to the steam boat, beginning with the original boats and 
models of primitive crafts from China, India, Burmah, Ceylon, 
Africa, Europe, countries and islands of the Pacific Ocean, South 
America and North America. Other important objects in the col- 
lection are the pleasure boats from different countries, barges of state 
from Turkey, India and Venice; sailing vessels, types from Nor- 
way to the Mediterranean countries, a series of models of river 
steam-boats and steam tow boats, showing the methods of trans- 
portation of large quantities of coal, lumber and logs. In con- 
nection with this are a series of photographs, prints and litho- 
graphs illustrating the development of the sailing vessel and the 
steamship. 


Next in order of transportation are human burthen bearers, 
a collection of life size figures, male and female, illustrating 
the primitive method of transportation throughout the different 
parts of the world, and including a series of pictures which adds 
much to the interest of the exhibit. In addition, the collection 
embraces a series of models and originals of palanquins, sedan 
chairs and traveling hammocks. The palanquin which Mrs. French 
Sheldon used during her explorations in eastern Africa is here 
shown. 

Following the human burthen bearers are the pack animals, 
acquired by gift from the World’s Columbian Exposition through 
the Chief of the Department of Transportation Exhibits. The col- 
lection illustrates the modes of transportation by camels, donkeys, 
burros, mules, and llamas, in many foreign countries. In addi- 
tion to these is shown the evolution and development of the pack 
and riding saddle. Land vehicles come next in order with spec- 
imens from widely separate portions of the world, the Scyth- 
ian racing chariot of ancient Italy and Assyria, the decorated 
Sicilian cart, the Turkish holiday wagon, and the rolling hogs- 


83 


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head, a relic of American colonial days. The Cuban volante, 
the carreta, ox cart of Mexico, and the Red River cart from the 
great Northwest and a series of models demonstrates the widely 
diversified construction of wheeled vehicles in all parts of the 
world. In addition to this is a very large collection of photo- 
graphs, prints, and lithographs of vehicles. 

Next to the wheeled vehicles is the street car, an excellent 
specimen of the early cable car, and the first grip car run for 
public use, invented by Mr. A. S. Hallidie of San Francisco, Cal. 
A series of photographs of street and tram-cars illustrate the 
beginning of the present railroad system. 


THE RAILWAY. 


In order following is the division of the railway which occupies the 
greater part of the east pavilion, and is one of the most striking fea- 
tures of the Museum. ‘The nucleus of this representation is in the 
extensive collection made by the Baltimore & Ohio Railway Co., for 
the World’s Columbian Exposition, and purchased by the Field 
Columbian Museum. 

At no time previous to the World’s Columbian Exposition had 
_ there been a fitting illustration of the evolution and development of 

permanent way, structures, motive power, equipment andappliances 
of the railroad such as is illustrated in this section. The exhibition 
is an exceptionally interesting and valuable historical collection, 
embracing thirty-eight full size working reproductions of locomo- 
tives, made from the most careful measurements and drawings of 
the originals and covers a period from 1680, when the first idea of 
steam propulsion on land was originated, to 1848, and includes fifteen 
original locomotives of the type followed from 1832 to 1876. The 
examples are arranged in the order of development and demonstrate 
the principle of construction. 

The exhibit begins with the first method of propulsion by steam 
on land, that of Sir Isaac Newton, in 1680. The evolution is carried 
through the Cugnot, France 1769, the first actual propulsion by steam 
on land in the world; the Murdock of 1784; and the Read of 1792. 
The latter was the first steam wagon in America, and its originator, 
Nathan Read, of Salem, Mass., was the inventor of the first multi- 
tubular boiler in the world. Then follows the first Trevithick, the 
initial design of 1800, by the father of the locomotive, Richard 
Trevithick. In 1803 he built the first locomotive that ran upon a 


85 


tail, a full size reproduction is here represented with two of the first 
original cars it drew upon the Merthyr Tydfil, Wales, colliery road. 
They stand on a road bed that formed a part of the original stone 
sleepers and track first built in 1800. 


In the way of original old engines this collection embraces the 
most valuable historical examples in existence of American progress. 
Standing in their original form are four of the original Grasshoppers, 
and as none were built subsequent to 1836, not one of the quartet is 
less than fifty-seven years old. 


The first, the Atlantic, built im 1832, is the oldest locomo- 
tive in its original form in America; the Traveler, 1833, the first 
distinctively freight engine built in America. It has been over 
sixty years in continuous service: the Mazeppa, 1835, the first 
of the crab type; and the Thomas Jefferson, 1836, the last of this 
famous quartet. 

The contributions to the Museum by the Illinois Central 
Company are the original old engine Mississippi, 1836, the first loco- 
motive in the Gulf States; by the Chicago & Northwestern Com- 
pany, the original old engine Pioneer, 1848, the first locomotive 
in Chicago; by the Mount Washington Ry., the first mountain 
climbing locomotive in the world. The World’s Columbian Expo- 
sition through the Chief of the Transportation Department presented 
to the Museum the Sampson, 1838, and the Albion, 1839, the orig- 
inal old numbers one and two of the Nova Scotia Coal Road and the 
Philadelphia & Reading R.R., the original old No. 1 of that road, 
1838. 

In the collections of the nine original engines of the B. & O. Com- 
pany are the Dragon, 1848, the only example of the early type of the 
once noted New Castle locomotives; the Camel, 1852, the first of the 
type of Camel Back; the Mason, 1853, the American model pas- 
senger engine; the Perkins, 1863 the earliest type of the tremend- 
ously powerful freight locomotive; the 600, 1876, the first mogul pas- 
senger locomotive, which formed a part of the B. & O. Railroad 
Centennial exhibit, 1876. Throughout the exhibit in each instance 
the engines, the originals, and reproductions stand upon either the 
original or the exact counterpart of the track of their period. 

A strong feature in this collection is the extensive series of large 
black and white drawings which show in greater detail than could be 
done in full size actual reproductions, the evolution and development 
of motive power in all time and in all countries, representing a series 
embracing the sail period, the horse period, the manual period, the 
early traction power period, and the tramway period. In addition to 
these are a series of photographic detail drawings of old historical 


86 


locomotives and a gallery containing upwards of eighteen hundred 
uniformly framed examples of detail plans, photographs, and prints, 
and lithographs of locomotives, passenger cars, royal trains, and 
various railroad appliances, indicating progress in connection with 
the great locomotive manufacturing companies and car builders of 
the world. There are also a series of drawings illustrating the 
development of the air brake, a series of maps showing the rail- 
road occupation of the United States by decades from 1830 to 1890; 
and ‘‘The West” series complete, consisting of fourteen plates 
showing in detail the evolution and development of the English 
locomotive. 

The evolution and development of permanent way is here illus- 
trated in a series of wash drawings embracing a hundred different 
types. With this ix a series of pen and ink drawings, and models 
showing the development of the American railway bridge, by 
Theodore Cooper and Benjamin H. Latrobe, including the first 
original iron railroad bridge ever erected in America,and with it a series 
of photographs of the great Memphis bridge across the Mississippi 
river, and other equally noted structures of the kind. 

The collection made and presented to the Museum by the Penn- 
sylvania Railroad Company for the World’s Columbian Exposition is 
installed in Halls 41 and 57 of the Museum, and in an interesting man- 
ner brings out the progressive growth in this great railroad system. 

The exhibit embraces: 

A series of models illustrating the method of transportation in 
early days prior to the railroad, beginning with the old Conestoge 
wagon, the stage coach, etc. 

Sectional canal boats transported on railroad trucks over the 
mountains. 

The machinery of the inclined planeson the old Portage railroad. 

A large model showing the system of the old and the new Portage 
railroads crossing the Allegheny mountains, with the modern system 
of today. 

A series of models of the famous John Bull locomotive and other 
early engines of the road. 

The development of the railroad car. 

Models illustrating the development of the Company’s system of 
railroad signals and the system of transfer of passengers and freight 
in New York Harbor. 

Relief maps of the Company’s terminals at Jersey City and Phil- 
adelphia. 

Panels in bas-relief representing four centuries of progress in 
transportation from 1492 to 1892. 


87 


A series of publications and documents covering the whole his- 
tory of the Pennsylvania Railroad. 

Relief charts showing the organization of the Company from its 
inception. 

An extensive series of models illustrating the growth of this 
great corporation. 

A large globe showing the traffic of the Pennsylvania Railroad 
system. 

Following these are many relics of old time railroad appliances, 
of permanent way, and of transportation before the railroad, a section 
of the original old Portage road bed and track on which is placed one 
of the old original passenger coaches builtin 1836. 

A series of original rail sections illustrating the development of 
the iron and steel rail form a part of this interesting exhibit. 

Added to this is a large collection of maps of the road, photo- 
graphs of locomotives and views along the line of the road covering 
the whole system of the Pennsylvania Railroad. 


88 


THE LIBRARY. 


The library of the Museum is confined to the literature of the 
various sciences and arts illustrated inthe Museum, The aim there- 
fore is to equip it along these special lines. It cotains also stan- 
dard sets of reference works, encyclopeedias, atlasses, dictionaries 
and bibliographic apparatus as well as the reports, transactions, and 
proceedings of leading philosophical and scientific societies. The size 
of the library is at the present writing 8,300 numbers of which about 
1,000 are pamphlets. 

The more general works are all on the shelves of the principal 
library room situated on the north court, but working libraries are 
being formed in several of the departments and already contain sets 
of books of special value to the department. 

The library in the Department of Ornithology contains 445 vol- 
umes on that subject alone; that inthe Department of Geology, 685 
volumes, including many complete sets of geological surveys. 

The reading room is connected with the main library. On its 
tables are placed the current numbers of the principal scientific and 
technical reviews, journals and magazines. A certain proportion of 
these relate to each department of the Museum. About sixty such 
periodicals are received, and many of them are on the shelves of the 
library complete to the first number. 

The public is at liberty to use freely all the periodicals exposed 
on the tables. The books in the library are intended primarily for 
the use of curators of the Museum, but students are given access to 
the book shelves and the general public may draw books for perusal 
in the reading room. 

The nucleus of the library was in the special collections made by 
the Department of Ethnology and the Department of Mines and Mining 
of the Exposition. These collections were presented to the Museum 
and later were increased by the purchase of the Kunz collection of 
works on precious gems, mineralogy, geology, etc.—gathered under 


89 


the selective care of Mr. Geo. F. Kunz, the well known author of 
‘“‘Gems and Semi-Precious Stones of the United States.” This col- 
lection included a large number of rare works of the sixteenth and 
seventeenth centuries, containing chapters treating of the suojects 
on which Mr. Kunz is an acknowledged authority. 

This branch of the Library was further increased by the dona- 
tion of the private collection of Mr. F. J. V. Skiff containing valuable 
works on mining, metallurgy, geology, and mineralogy. 

Another collection that materially strengthened the library 
and broughtit to the front rank in one specialty was the library on 
ornithology purchased of Mr. Charles B. Cory of Boston. Mr. Cory 
had made his library as comprehensive as were his bird collections 
in which he had a professional pride. It contains the proceedings 
and transactions of the leading ornithological and zoological societies; 
the individual works of different writers on the class Aves are num- 
erous, and standard reference books of the working ornithologist. In 
this connection it may be mentioned that the Museum is to become 
the recipient of the extensive ornithological library of its President, 
Mr. E. E. Ayer. The combination of the collections of Mr. Cory 
and Mr. Ayer will place the library in the first rank of libraries on 
this specialty. 

The extensive collection on railway evolution prepared for the 
exhibit of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad at the Columbian Expo- 
sition has been loaned to the library and furnishes very complete data 
on this branches of the transportation industry. This literature is 
of great use, accompanying as it does the large collections in the east 
annex of the Museum. 

The purchases that are constantly being made are placing upon 
the shelves the best reference literature on Geology, Botany, ZOEY. 
Anthropology, and the Industrial Arts. : : 

In alcove 118 adjoining the Library, is displayed a small collec- 
tion of early printed books illustrating several stages in the his- 
tory of printing from movable type and the development of the book. 
This will in time be supplemented by examples of the modern 
graphic arts and typographic as well as bibliographic curiosities. 


90 


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